Overview
Ceanothus x lobbianus is a bushy, spreading branched shrubs in the genus Ceanothus, part of the Rhamnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Ceanothus x lobbianus 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 lobbianus is a bushy, spreading branched evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Ceanothus, which includes both evergreen and deciduous shrubs and small trees known for their simple leaves and clusters of small flowers. This cultivar thrives in full sun with a south or west-facing aspect and prefers sheltered locations with well-drained loam or sandy soils of varying pH. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for a range of garden settings including city, courtyard, coastal, cottage, and wildlife gardens. It is best grown in fertile, well-drained soil and can be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken 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 x lobbianus 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 lobbianus
- 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 lobbianus?
Ceanothus x lobbianus prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Ceanothus x lobbianus need?
Ceanothus x lobbianus 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 lobbianus hardy in the UK?
Ceanothus x lobbianus 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 lobbianus?
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'