The Ceanothus is a genus from the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) and is commonly named California lilac, buckbrush, soap bush or just ceanothus.
The California lilac is native to North America and is a genus of more than 60 species. Most species come from the western coast of North America. Most California lilacs are shrubs growing 0.5 to 3 metres (20 inches to 10 feet) high, but there are also small trees and ground covering plants. The majority is evergreen, but some species that have adapted to cold winters are deciduous. The leaves are glossy. Many of the very drought tolerant specues have spiny, holly-like leaves.
The word "ceanothus" comes from the Greek (keanothos) and means "spiny plant".
A Ceanothus grows best if you neglect it. In the first year of planting they need some extra watering, but once established, they require little more. During very dry periods, watering once or twice a month may be advisable, but in areas with adequate rainfall that is not necessary. They do not like moist soil or fertilization. You can add organic mulch around the root zone, but nothing else. Too much fertilizer and moisture will cause the plant to grow too quickly, making it more susceptible to fungal diseases and frost.
The Ceanothus thrives in most types of soil as long as it is well-drained and not moist. It is highly tolerant to drought, heat and salt air and also produces beautiful, fragrant flowers. They mostly prefer full sun, but some shade will be tolerated.
The flowers appear in terminal clusters and are generally deep blue. However, some California lilacs bloom in lighter blue, lavender or even pink or white. Most Ceanothuses bloom in spring, but some species bloom in summer or autumn. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies.
The way to prune a Ceanothus depends on the flowering time and whether the plant is evergreen or deciduous:
- The late spring and early-summer-flowering evergreens are best pruned immediately after flowering. Cut back long, spent shoots by one-third to a half. Examples of this species are Ceanothus arboreus ‘Trewithen Blue’, C. dentatus, C. impressus and C. thrysiflorus ‘Skylark’.
- Evergreens that bloom in late-summer bear flowers on shoots that are produced in that same year. You can cut back shoots from last year by one-third to a half in spring. Examples of this species are Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ and C. ‘Burkwoodii’.
- The deciduous species require some extra attention in order to flower well. They flower on new growth and it is best to prune them in early- to mid-spring to encourage strong new shoots. Examples of this species are Ceanothus x delilianus ‘Henri Desfossé’ and C. x pallidus ‘Perle Rose’. In the first year, try and develop a framework of branches by shortening all stems by two-thirds to an outward facing bud. In the second year, prune the previous season’s growth for about two-thirds and shorten the side-shoots to 10-25 cm (4-10 inches) from the main stems. From the third year on, cut back the main stems that have flowered by about half. Cut the weaker stems back harder to about two buds from the main stems. Thin out the centre of the plant by cutting the congested and unproductive growth.
In Europe breeders crossed hardy, white-flowering, deciduous Ceanothuses (such as C. americanus) with more tender, blue-flowering, evergreen Ceanothuses (such as C. coeruleus) in order to create blue-flowering, hardy plants. The result is, amongst others, the Ceanothus x delilianus which is commonly called the French hybrid. The best known French hybrids are ‘Gloire de Versailles’ with powder blue flowers and ‘Henri Desfossé’ with deep blue flowers.
The Ceanothus x delilianus ‘Henri Desfossé’ blooms on new shoots of the same year. The stems of the new shoots are wine-red. In mild winters this California lilac is semi-evergreen. Because the roots go deep into the ground this plant can withstand droughty conditions, but this also makes it hard to transplant it once established.
The name is sometimes written differently: Henri Défossé, Henri Defosse, Henri Desfosses and Henri Desfosee. It is unclear what the correct spelling is. That also applies to the word delilianus. I often encounter the word delileanus and it is unclear which spelling is correct.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: deciduous
Exposure: sun/part shade
Flower colour: blue
Flowering time: June - July
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: yes
Hardiness: -15 ºC/5 ºF
Height: 1.5 m/5 feet
Soil: normal/dry