Ceanothus 'Skylark' (Californian Lilac) – Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

Rich, deep blue flower clusters over small glossy leaves on a neat, bushy shrub.

'Skylark' is a compact, rounded Californian lilac reaching about 1.5m to 2m tall and wide, which makes it easier to place than the big wall shrubs. The dark green leaves are evergreen, so there is something to look at all year, and in May and June the plant is smothered in deep blue flower clusters that bees and butterflies work over.

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: 1.5m to 2m tall and 1.5m to 2m wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy, rounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Sunny borders, wall side planting, coastal gardens and containers
• Foliage: Small, glossy, dark green leaves, held all year
• Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer, in May and June
• 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

Free UK Delivery on Every Order

All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.

Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.

Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.

How Your Plants Arrive
Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.

Returns
Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.