Overview
Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' 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 x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' is an evergreen cultivar of the Ceanothus genus, which comprises shrubs and small trees known for their simple leaves and clusters of small flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white. This particular cultivar has a bushy, spreading branched habit and thrives in full sun, ideally in a sheltered, south- or west-facing position. It prefers fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soils of any pH and is hardy to UK zone H4. 'Boule Bleue' is suitable for a variety of garden settings including city gardens, coastal areas, and wildlife-friendly spaces, with interest mainly in spring and 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 x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' 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 x delileanus 'Boule Bleue'
- 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 x delileanus 'Boule Bleue'?
Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' need?
Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus x delileanus 'Boule Bleue' 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 x delileanus 'Boule Bleue'?
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'