News & Events
Flowerdales Plant of the Month, for August
California Lilacs (Ceanothus)
By
Carlos Ruiz
California Lilacs are a diverse group of evergreen shrubs & groundcovers native to California. These plants are tough & durable; they require full sun & dislike heavy summer irrigation. In most areas they can do just fine on rainfall alone. Ceanothuses are most noted for their beautiful spring flowers in shades of blues, pinks, & white. Many Ceanothuses are good choices for planting on slopes or for attracting butterflies & beneficial insects. All are poor choices for containers. Prune back plants lightly every year in late fall.
· Concha California Lilac (Ceanothus ‘Concha’), this is one of the most popular of the California Lilacs. It is a shrub that grows 10’ high & wide, with arching branches. This plant needs very little irrigation & will get by fine on a once every other month watering. Established plants can survive on rainfall. Beautiful 3” electric blue flowers cover the plant in the Mid Spring. Combine with Matillija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) for a spectacular spring bloom of California Natives.
· Dark Star California Lilac (Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’), this shrub grows 4’ tall & 6’ wide. Texturally interesting small crinkled leafs are a rich deep glossy green. The 2’ flowers are a true cobalt blue & cover the shrub in the spring. This plant dislikes being over watered especially in the summer. Established plants need deep soakings four to five times a year. Performs well near the seacoast. This Ceanothus can be tricky, but keep it lean, mean, & dry & it will reward you. Plant with White Sage (Salvia apiana) for a nice contrast.
· Joyce Coulter California Liac (Ceanothus ‘Joyce Culter’), a handsome shrub growing to 10’ high & wide, it can be kept smaller by withholding irrigation. Nice glossy medium green foliage. Abundant 4” sky blue to light blue flowers in spring. The flowers are fragrant, smelling sweet & fresh. This is a good choice for a large shrub, or for slopes. Tolerates wide variety of soil types from rocky to clay. Combine with Agave attenuata for a play on blue, grey, & green foliage tones.
Drought Tolerant Planting Class
September 13th Santa Ana 10:00AM Costa Mesa 2:00pm
Presented By Horticulturist Carlos Ruiz
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