Overview
Ceanothus arboreus is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus arboreus grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, wall side borders and flower borders and beds.
About
Ceanothus arboreus is a species of perennial shrub to small tree in the family Rhamnaceae, commonly known as the feltleaf ceanothus, island ceanothus, and island mountain lilac. It is the largest member of the California lilacs (the Ceanothus genus), and is characterized with glossy, dark green foliage that is adorned by pale blue to white flowers in bloom. It is endemic to the Channel Islands of California and Guadalupe Island in Mexico, only being re-discovered on Guadalupe Island after the elimination of feral goats. Grow it in full sun and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is hardy through an average UK winter (RHS H4). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, wall side borders and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ceanothus arboreus
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 arboreus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wall side borders, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ceanothus arboreus
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer
- Pest resistance
- Scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ceanothus arboreus?
Ceanothus arboreus prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus arboreus need?
Ceanothus arboreus grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ceanothus arboreus hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus arboreus 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 arboreus?
Semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer.
More in the Ceanothus genus
- Ceanothus 'Madagascar'California Lilac
- Ceanothus x pallidus 'La Géant'
- Ceanothus 'Eleanor Taylor'Californian lilac 'Eleanor Taylor'