Ceanothus aka Ceanothus

Taxonomy

Ceanothus is a genus of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family, native to North America with the highest diversity on the western coast. Commonly known as buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush, or just ceanothus, these plants are characterized by their upright, bushy, woody evergreen shrub form. Most species are shrubs, but some can grow into small multi-trunked trees. The leaves of Ceanothus are small, oblong-shaped, and variegated in dark and pale green. In late spring and early summer, clusters of pale blue, fragrant flowers adorn the plant. One specific variety, Ceanothus 'El Dorado', is a spreading evergreen shrub with glossy variegated leaves featuring a dark center and yellow edge. It blooms with blue fragrant flowers in spring and is ideal for hedging and screening. This low maintenance shrub thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers fertile, well-draining soils. While it may be susceptible to damage in strong winds, it responds well to heavy regenerative pruning.

Common names

Ceanothus

How to care for Ceanothus

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Ceanothus is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Lighting

Ceanothus requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Ceanothus is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Ceanothus to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Region of origin

Ceanothus’s native range is A collection of garden hybrids of uncertain parentage.


More info:
Wikipedia