Ceanothus (Californian Lilac) is one of those plants that truly earns its keep in a garden. It bursts into these incredible clouds of blue, sometimes so vivid it looks like someone turned up the saturation on reality and the whole shrub hums with bees who think you planted it just for them. Once it settles in, it’s wonderfully unfussy: it loves sunshine, hates soggy feet, and rewards you by staying evergreen and tidy without much coaxing. And there’s something satisfying about knowing it quietly improves your soil while it’s at it, thanks to its nitrogen fixing roots. It’s the kind of plant that makes your garden feel more alive, more colourful, and somehow more effortless all at once.
Varieties in stock
Ceanothus ‘Concha’ – A stunning, evergreen climber or shrub prized for its prolific, deep violet-blue flowers and glossy dark green foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its dense clusters of small flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding vibrant colour to borders and patios. The foliage remains evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest, and the plant has a naturally compact, rounded habit. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant once established and prefers sheltered sites. At maturity, Ceanothus ‘Concha’ typically reaches 2.5-4 metres in height with a similar spread, making it an ideal statement in the gardens.
Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ – A smaller variety, Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ is a spreading medium-sized evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves and small bright blue flowers in compact conical clusters in late spring.
Great for year-round interest Ceanothus are fast-growing but may be short-lived. This variety is worth consideration for hedges and screening as when pruned it retains its manageable size. Grows well in a sunny sheltered position. Prune after flowering, feed and mulch to provide the nutrients needed. An ideal plant for a wildlife garden. Likes well drained soil, does not do well on chalk. Final Height: 1-1.5m tall and 1-1.5m wide. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ – one of the showiest and most garden‑friendly Californian lilacs, loved for its masses of deep, rich blue flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. It forms a dense, evergreen shrub with narrow, dark green leaves and typically reaches 1.5–2.5m in height and spread over 5–10 years, making it a great choice for borders, wall‑side plantings, or as a standout specimen.
Ceanothus griseus hor. ‘Yankee Point’ – A vigorous evergreen shrub with a much wider, spreading habit, ‘Yankee Point’ has small glossy dark green leaves and an abundance of deep blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Ideal for year-round cover and with its profusion of blue flowers Californian Lilac is regarded as an excellent plant for a wildlife garden. ‘Yankee Point’ is a particularly good choice for hedging with its wider, spreading habit, we supply it as a shrub for hedging or on a trellis, ideal for fences. A really good, all round garden plant that can be planted in almost any location, suiting flower beds and borders, wall side borders, fences, banks or slopes. Ceanothus in varieties also works well when grown in a container. Generally, pest free and minimal pruning makes Ceanothus a good plant for low maintenance gardens. After flowering, prune the shoots by one third and remove any dead or damaged branches. Grows well in a sunny sheltered position. Prune after flowering, feed and mulch to provide the nutrients needed. Likes moist well drained soil, does not do well on chalk. Final height: 1.5m-1.8m tall, 2.5-4m wide.
Need ideas and advice for your garden project? First step is a visit to the Big Plant Nursery for inspiration where our plant experts are on hand to help 7 days a week.
Alternatively, ask about our ‘At home’ Advice and Consultancy service where we come to you.