Overview

Ceanothus fendleri is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus fendleri 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 fendleri (Fendler['s] ceanothus, Fendler['s] buckbrush, deer brier) is a species of flowering shrub native to northern Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas and the northeastern Texas panhandle, Utah, Colorado, eastern Wyoming, and western South Dakota. Its typical habitat is pine forests from 1,500 to 3,000 meters (4,900 to 9,800 ft) in altitude. 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 4.0Ceanothus fendleri

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 4.0Ceanothus

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 fendleri 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 fendleri

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 fendleri?

Ceanothus fendleri prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Ceanothus fendleri need?

Ceanothus fendleri grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

Is Ceanothus fendleri hardy in the UK?

Ceanothus fendleri 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 fendleri?

Semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer.

More in the Ceanothus genus

Browse all Ceanothus