Overview
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' is a plant with a shrubs or small trees, fast-growing but may be short-lived habit in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen or deciduous, simple leaves foliage. Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include wall-trained, border plants, informal hedges and ground cover.
About
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' is a cultivar of the genus Ceanothus, which comprises fast-growing shrubs or small trees known for their nitrogen-fixing ability. This cultivar is suited to full sun and a sheltered, south-facing aspect, thriving in well-drained, neutral loam soils. As an evergreen or deciduous plant with simple leaves, it is hardy to UK zone H4 and can be used effectively as wall-trained plants, border shrubs, informal hedges, or ground cover. Propagation is typically by semi-ripe cuttings or seed.
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
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Shrubs or small trees, fast-growing but may be short-lived
- Foliage
- Evergreen or deciduous, simple leaves
- Suggested uses
- Wall-trained, border plants, informal hedges, ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue'
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings, seed
- Pest resistance
- Scale insects, Honey fungus
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue'?
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' need?
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue' 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 'Autumnal Blue'?
Semi-ripe cuttings, seed.
More in the Ceanothus genus
- Ceanothus 'Madagascar'California Lilac
- Ceanothus x pallidus 'La Géant'
- Ceanothus 'Eleanor Taylor'Californian lilac 'Eleanor Taylor'