Overview

Ceanothus parryi is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus parryi 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 parryi, with the common name Parry ceanothus, is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. It is native to Oregon and northern California, where it grows in the canyons of coastal mountain ranges. 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 parryi

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 parryi 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 parryi

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 parryi?

Ceanothus parryi prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Ceanothus parryi need?

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

Is Ceanothus parryi hardy in the UK?

Ceanothus parryi 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 parryi?

Semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer.

More in the Ceanothus genus

Browse all Ceanothus