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Family description Ceanothus.

This plant will grow into a large shrub or small tree but the best varieties are slow growing. Famous for its fantastic display of dark blue flowers in late spring. One of the sights of London, where it thrives on the neglect and pollution.

There are several different varieties, with different growth habits and flowering times. The most spectacular flower displays are produced by the spring flowering varieties such as Ceanothus thrysiflorus with its glossy dark-green leaves. C. gloriosus is a prostrate form, evergreen, spring flowering while C. 'Burkwoodii', also evergreen, flowers from mid-summer into the autumn. A few varieties, such as C. 'Marie Simon' are deciduous.

Some of the summer flowering varieties are fast growing and often outgrow their welcome. The flowers tend to be less abundant but spread over a longer flowering period.

General care.

Protect young plants from frost in exposed areas. If possible, leave the plants alone without pruning, but if space is limited, the evergreen varieties should have a light trim shortly after flowering. Do not cut back to hard wood as they are unlikely to regrow. Deciduous varieties may be pruned harder.

If the leaves show any sign of turning pale with green veins, (Chlorosis), water the plants with a tonic of sequestered iron.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

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Species description. Ceanothus thrysiflorus repans.

This is one of the evergreen species that has small deep-green leaves with a glossy sheen and produces deep blue flowers during late spring. Shrub tends to have a spreading habit and will tumble over the banks of a retaining wall, but will also grow upwards to form a dense well-formed bush.

Display characteristics for Ceanothus thrysiflorus repans.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Evergreen
• Habit: Prostrate
• Type: Shrub.
• Height: 1.00 mtr.
• Spread: 2.50 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: Bees. Butterflies.
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Open ground. Border.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: 0 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -5 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Medium
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Medium
• Waterlogging tolerance: Low
• Toxicity-Edibility: Unknown
• Bloom attributes: Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
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