Our great Ceanothus introduction C ‘Xera Azul’ is a dark blue free blooming hybrid that occurred at our nursery.The west’s best blues
Ceanothus is a genus of shrubs native primarily to the west coast with the majority of species in California and then Oregon. We love ‘Wild Lilacs’ as they are sometimes called for several important reasons.
Climate adapted westerners
They represent excellent climate adaptation. Almost all are native to winter wet/summer dry conditions. They thrive in our climate with little intervention from the gardener. Flowers: blue- no other shrub comes close to the display of blue flowers housed in this genus. The most blue cultivars and species hail from central and northern California and have been grown in our region for eons. Fast growing and extraordinarily drought tolerant they cruise through our dry summers with no visible signs of stress. In fact they loathe the combination of wet/warm soils. So no summer water is advised.
Ceanothus ‘Julia Phelps’ is well adapted to western Oregon Zone 7b.Groundcovers to trees
They range from large shrubs to ground covers and are useful in a host of situations. Full sun and average well drained soil including clay soils on slopes. They even fix nitrogen with their roots which means they earn their own lunch. Lifespan: typically they live on average 12-24 years but for the ground cover types which can persist quite a bit longer. They make ideal plants for new gardens as they grow rapidly and even years after their demise the soil beneath them remains enriched, loose and friable. A great place to grow tomatoes.
Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus aka Mountain Balm is an aromatic large evergreen species native locally in the northrn Wilamette Valley, Here, in Sherwood, OR.Oregons largest group of native shrubs
Ceanothus are Oregon’s largest genus of native shrubs. A total 13 species populate the state from the coast to the high Cascades. In Southwestern Oregon a conglomeration of species even results in hybrids. It should be said that there are several species of native Oregon Ceanothus that are spectacular in the wild but resist garden culture with a vengeance. Ceanothus pumilus Siskiyou Mat and Ceanothus prostratus Squaw mat (sic) are amazing when seen in bloom in the spring. Its tempting to fall in love with the idea of replicating garlands of blue as you see Ceanothus prostratus on the rim of Crater Lake. Or to drape a patch of Siskiyou mat over a boulder. There must be a secret to their cultivation. As of yet we have not found it. Other native Ceanothus species make exemplary garden plants. Both Ceanothus thyrsiflorus and its cultivars and Ceanothus cuneatus are incredibly successful garden plants.
Ceanothus ‘Concha’Xera introductions- Oregon natives
We have introduced several varieties of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus native from Lane county Oregon to Santa Barbara County California and we’re always on the search for more Oregon cultivars. Water them until you see them start growing in earnest and then taper off. And then only the water that falls from the sky. To prune, tip prune after blooming to resize, encourage density. Usually it is not necessary. The size of Ceanothus is completely dependent on the fertility of the soil. Rich soil HUGE, poor soil restrained. They make wonderful urban shrubs- tolerant of extreme reflected heat as well as hot dry places.
What Ceanothus hates:
Boggy roots + heat = root molds that can kill them. They are adapted to cool/cold wet wintesr and warm/hot dry summers. They do not want summer water.
Subfreezing Wind- Almost all species dislike high winds + subfreezing temperatures – below 20ºF which can occur in the Portland Metro near the Columbia Gorge as well as prolonged temperatures below 15ºF which can lead to blackened foliage. This blackened foliage soon drops in late winter and will quickly be replaced in spring by new foliage and most often bloom will not be sacrificed. Those native to California are the most at risk.
Overly enriched soil can also compromise cold hardiness as the plant will remain in full growth and never adapt to winter cold. This also encourages root molds as well as prodigious growth and huge plants that live shorter lives. No supplemental water in un-amended soil is ideal.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Victoria’Winter Protection:
Winter protection is only applicable to small/young Ceanothus if temperatures threaten to drop below 20ºF the first winter after planting. Place a card board box over the plant and secure for wind. Remove the cardboard box when the temperature rises above freezing.
