Ceanothus Skylark 10L

Description

Ceanothus ‘Skylark’ – California lilac

Botanical name: Ceanothus ‘Skylark’
Common names: California lilac
Family: Rhamnaceae
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Habit: Bushy, upright to spreading
Pot size: 10 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 1.5–2m tall × 1.5–2m spread
Foliage: Small, glossy, dark green leaves; evergreen
Flowers: Dense clusters of rich deep blue flowers in late spring into early summer (May–June)
Scent: Lightly scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, light; dislikes wet and shallow chalk; any pH otherwise
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); one of the hardier evergreen ceanothus; USDA zones 7–10
Exposure: Warm, sheltered, sunny; excellent against a sunny wall
Native range: Species native to California
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Ceanothus ‘Skylark’ is a compact evergreen California lilac with dense clusters of rich deep blue flowers in late spring, over glossy foliage. One of the hardier, later-flowering ceanothus, and a superb bee plant.

GardenAdvice notes

An evergreen California lilac, this ceanothus is grown for its glorious, dense clusters of intense blue flowers, among the truest blues in the plant world, set against small, glossy evergreen leaves. It loves a warm, sunny, sheltered position with good drainage, and is superb against a sunny wall, where it makes a spectacular flowering display and a magnet for bees.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in well-drained, light soil in full sun, in a warm, sheltered spot — ideally against a sunny wall, which gives the shelter and warmth it needs. It dislikes cold, wet, heavy ground and shallow chalk. Improve heavy soil with grit. Water well while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Trim lightly after flowering to shape it and keep it bushy — but never cut back hard into the old, bare wood, as evergreen ceanothus will not reshoot from it. This is the key to keeping it healthy and well-clothed. Water while establishing; thereafter it is drought-tolerant. It is naturally fairly short-lived, so enjoy it while it thrives.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a warm, well-drained spot. Its main enemies are cold, wet winters and hard pruning into old wood. It can be short-lived, and dislikes root disturbance once established.

Uses in the garden

Superb against a warm, sunny wall or fence, as a specimen in a sheltered sunny border, and in gravel and Mediterranean-style gardens, where its intense blue flowers make a spectacular late-spring display.

Wildlife value

Ceanothus is an excellent bee plant: its nectar-rich blue flowers are hugely attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

California lilac is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Skylark’ is one of the best ceanothus for British gardens — more compact, hardier, and flowering a little later than most, with the same glorious deep blue flowers alive with bees. It still appreciates a warm, sheltered, well-drained spot; give it a light trim after flowering to shape it, but never cut into the bare old wood, which it can’t regrow from.

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