Overview
Ceanothus incanus is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus incanus 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 incanus, commonly known as coast whitethorn, is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. It has a bushy, spreading branched habit and thrives in full sun on south- or west-facing, sheltered aspects. This cultivar prefers well-drained loam or sandy soils with a pH ranging from acid to alkaline. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for city and courtyard gardens, coastal and cottage gardens, as well as wildlife-friendly and flower borders. It is best planted in well-drained soil and can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer.
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 incanus 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 incanus
- 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 incanus?
Ceanothus incanus prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus incanus need?
Ceanothus incanus grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ceanothus incanus hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus incanus 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 incanus?
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'