Overview
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' is a shrubs or small trees, fast-growing but may be short-lived shrub in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen or deciduous, simple leaves foliage. Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained soils and neutral and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, hedging and ground cover.
About
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' (Burkwood Ceanothus) is a shrub cultivar within the Ceanothus genus, known for nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). This cultivar thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring a sheltered, south-facing aspect with well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. It tolerates both dry and moist conditions and is hardy to UK zone H4. Suitable for borders, hedging, or ground cover, it prefers well-drained soil and benefits from light pruning after flowering to maintain its shape.
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, partial shade
- Soil type
- well-drained
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Soil moisture
- dry,moist
- Aspect
- south-facing
- Exposure
- sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- shrub
- Habit
- Shrubs or small trees, fast-growing but may be short-lived
- Foliage
- Evergreen or deciduous, simple leaves
- Suggested uses
- borders, hedging, ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position. Avoid heavy clay soils. Water during dry periods.
- Pruning
- Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape.
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
- Pest resistance
- Scale insects, Honey fungus
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii'?
Prefers well-drained soil and a sheltered position. Avoid heavy clay soils. Water during dry periods.
Where is the best place to plant Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii'?
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' need?
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' grows best in well-drained soil. It prefers neutral and alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays dry to moist.
How do I prune Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii'?
Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape.
Is Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus 'Burkwoodii' 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 'Burkwoodii'?
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
More in the Ceanothus genus
- Ceanothus 'Madagascar'California Lilac
- Ceanothus x pallidus 'La Géant'
- Ceanothus 'Eleanor Taylor'Californian lilac 'Eleanor Taylor'