Description Description Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ (Californian Lilac) Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ (or C. impressus ‘Puget’s Blue) is an attractive, medium-sized, spreading yet upright evergreen shrub. From late spring through to early summer, it produces an abundance of beautiful bright cornflower-blue flowers. The sun-loving Californian lilac, as Ceanothus is commonly known, is native to central and north America where it can often be found in scrub on open hillsides. Fast growing, and flowering generously from its second season, Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ has graceful arching branches but keeps a compact habit. In maturity it may reach to 2.5m tall and 2.5m wide. The cone-shaped panicles of deep blue flowers of Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ arrive in abundance from April through to June. Once in flower, this free-standing evergreen shrub is a mass of showy beautiful blue. The glossy green leaves are long, narrow and oval in form, and very slightly wrinkled. They play a supporting role to the clouds of blue blooms throughout the summer months. For the rest of the year, the evergreen leaves are a really attractive and useful background foliage. Ideally plant Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ close to a fence or a wall in a sunny sheltered spot. Ceanothus thrive in fertile, free-draining soil in full sun; and are also happy in chalky, alkaline soil. Hardy throughout most of the UK, Ceanothus is ideal for gardens in coastal regions, and works well in a formal garden and a border. Just ensure it’s got lots of sun and some shelter, particularly in frost pockets or areas where cold spells are longer. And make sure you protect your new young plant from cold winds. To care for your Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’, lightly prune after flowering, by trimming the current season’s growth to 2.5cm of last season’s growth. Then apply 5cm of mulch around the base of the plant, which will keep it happy through the colder months. Max Dimensions Ultimate height 2.5m Ultimate spread 2.5m Growth Rate Time to ultimate height 2-5 years Light levels Full sun Growing conditions Well drained soil, any pH Maintenance After the plant has finished flowering, prune the shoots by one third. Apply 6cm of mulch around the base of the plant. Hardiness RHS hardiness H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5) Uses Cottage garden and informal Coastal gardens Herbaceous flower borders and beds City and courtyard
