Ceanothus 'Cool Blue' (Californian Lilac) – Compact Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

A compact Californian lilac smothered in rich blue flower clusters from late spring.

'Cool Blue' is the one for a smaller garden or a big container, making a neat, bushy shrub of about 1m to 1.5m tall and wide. The small, glossy dark green leaves give structure all year, and in late spring the plant is covered in vivid blue flowers that bees and butterflies find quickly. It suits a sunny border, the foot of a warm wall or a large pot on a sheltered patio.

Give it a warm, sunny spot with shelter from cold drying winds, ideally against a south or west facing wall, in soil that drains freely. The RHS lists ceanothus among the plants for milder coastal gardens, so it takes salt air, though it still wants shelter from the worst gales. Once established it copes with dry ground and needs very little attention. Trim lightly straight after flowering and never cut into old wood, because the evergreen kinds do not reshoot from bare stems. Ceanothus grows quickly and tends to be short lived, so treat it as a fast, generous performer rather than a fixture.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Californian lilac
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 1m to 1.5m tall and 1m to 1.5m wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Sunny borders, wall side planting, coastal gardens and large containers
• Foliage: Small, glossy, dark green leaves, held all year
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer
• Planting Position: Full sun, sheltered from cold drying winds. Takes salt air in a milder coastal garden. Grows well in a large container.
• Soil Type: Well drained, moderately fertile soil. It will not tolerate waterlogging.
• Hardiness: Hardy in most of Britain, happiest with shelter from cold drying winds
• Maintenance: Low. Light trim after flowering, avoiding old wood.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer
• Type: Evergreen flowering shrub