Dense clusters of deep blue flowers in late spring on a reliable, bushy evergreen.
Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria' is one of the more dependable Californian lilacs, making a compact, dense shrub of about 1.5m to 2.5m tall and wide. The small, dark green glossy leaves hold all year and give the border structure, and in May and June the flowers cover the plant and bring in bees and butterflies. It trains well against a warm wall and stands on its own as a specimen.
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 2.5m tall and 1.5m to 2.5m wide
Growth Habit: Bushy, dense evergreen shrub
Perfect For: Sunny borders, wall training, specimen planting, coastal gardens and large 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.
Dense clusters of deep blue flowers in late spring on a reliable, bushy evergreen.
Ceanothus impressus 'Victoria' is one of the more dependable Californian lilacs, making a compact, dense shrub of about 1.5m to 2.5m tall and wide. The small, dark green glossy leaves hold all year and give the border structure, and in May and June the flowers cover the plant and bring in bees and butterflies. It trains well against a warm wall and stands on its own as a specimen.
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 2.5m tall and 1.5m to 2.5m wide
Growth Habit: Bushy, dense evergreen shrub
Perfect For: Sunny borders, wall training, specimen planting, coastal gardens and large 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
Delivery & Returns
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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.
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