Ceanothus are not as widely used in Australia as they could be. A reasonably drought tolerant and easy care plant. This is a plant that flowers in late winter to spring.
Also known as the Californian Lilac, Ceanothus papiliiosus has attractive blue flowers and good glossy green foliage.
Originally from the USA where it thrives in warm summers and cold winters. well suited to growing in many areas of Eastern Australia.
A number of cultivars are available, the most notable being C. arboreus ‘Trewithen Blue’ with is wonderful blue flowers which appear early from late winter to early spring.
A native to California, Ceanothus ‘Joyce Coulter’ sometimes called ‘Creeping Mountain Lilac’, is a low growing shrubby plant that is relatively drought tolerant once established and with reach 2/3m with a spread of 2m+. Use this variety as a flowering ground cover plant.
C. spinosa or ‘Redheart’ has attractive white flowers, bees and butterflies love the flowers.
‘Blue Sapphire’ with its deep green foliage and and deep blue flowers is fairly low growing and also attracts bees and other pollinating insects to the garden.
Care
Ceanothus will grow well in a sunny well drained humus rich soil.
- Best in full sun but will handle part shade as well.
- Does require good drainage, particularly over summer when little to no extra watering is required.
- Covered with masses of lilac blue flowers in spring it is also attractive to birds and butterflies.
- Excellent when grown against a wall or fence in a sunny position
Ceanothus are available for sale from the following nurseries
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au