Overview
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include coastal, mediterranean climate plants, wall side borders and ground cover.
About
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' is a bushy, evergreen cultivar of the Ceanothus genus, which comprises nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). This cultivar thrives in full sun on south- or west-facing, sheltered aspects, preferring well-drained loam or sandy soils with a range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for coastal and Mediterranean-style gardens, as well as wall-side borders and ground cover. Propagation is typically by semi-ripe cuttings.
About the genus
Ceanothus is a genus of about 50–60 species of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Common names for members of this genus are buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush, or just ceanothus. The genus is native to North America, ranging from Canada and the United States south through Mexico to Panama, with the center of diversity in the California floristic province of the western United States and Mexico, where around ~42 species are endemic out of the roughly ~58 species in the genus.
Wikipedia contributors, "Ceanothus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ceanothus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Ceanothus
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Wall side borders, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson'
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson'?
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' need?
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Ceanothus 'A. T. Johnson'?
Semi-ripe cuttings.
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More in the Ceanothus genus
- Ceanothus 'Madagascar'California Lilac

- Ceanothus x pallidus 'La Géant'

- Ceanothus 'Eleanor Taylor'Californian lilac 'Eleanor Taylor'