Join us on Facebook. Article by David Marks There is a large number of Ceanothus varieties but this article sticks to the ones popular and common in the UK. These varieties are evergreen and produce mainly blue flowers in late spring to early summer.
To be brutally honest you wouldn't give this shrub a second glance when it's not in flower. The foliage is green but that's about it. However, when in full flower they can be truly stunning, the picture below click it to enlarge and see more clearly is not unusual, many Ceanothus look like this when in flower. Light pruning to neaten them up is fine though.
Only if your soil is very nutrient deficient would you consider sprinkling a little fertilizer around the roots in spring. Ceanothus plants are pretty hardy plants but may be susceptible to leaf spots caused by the fungi Blumeriella, Septoria, and Cercospora. This condition causes brown spots on the leaves and may result in leaf drop. Planning for adequate plant spacing and keeping the foliage dry are suggested if leaf spot is a problem on your plants.
Be careful not to overwater these plants as root rot is a common problem. This is a truly multipurpose shrub. As a shrub, it makes a fine specimen, but could also be used as an informal hedge or screen. These plants are one of the best choices for wall training.
Some ceanothus plants, like the New Jersey Tea plant, are used medicinally. The roots of this plant are traditionally used to treat respiratory tract infections and lymphatic conditions. That plant is also used to make a refreshing tea. These plants are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators when in bloom.
The maximum height of ceanothus species varies widely. The tallest species like C. Many cultivars are medium to large shrubs in the 6 to 10 ft 1. Most ceanothus species are hardy to about zone 8 or 9. New Jersey tea, C. Ceanothus plants are sun lovers. Some types can be grown in partial shade, but all ceanothus will grow and flower much better in full sun, although afternoon shade is a good thing in very hot areas. These plants are not particularly long-lived.
Shrub forms can be expected to live for 10 to 15 years if grown in suitable conditions. Of the 50 to 60 species of these deciduous and evergreen shrubs, most grow in U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through In their natural habitat, California lilacs typically live for anywhere between 10 and 15 years.
Some plants will live longer. Fire is a common culprit behind premature deaths in California lilac plants. California lilacs are generally thought to have rather brief lifespans. While they grow rapidly, their life cycles are often on the speedy side, too.
Lifespans for California lilacs in gardens are often shorter than those in the wild. In gardens, California lilacs usually stay alive for around eight to 10 years. Grow new plants from cuttings to replace a lilac that's reaching the end of its life. As far as genetics goes, cutting-grown plants are exactly the same as the plants that provided them with the initial cutting.
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