There are around fifty pollinator-friendly, flowering,drought-tolerant shrubspecies in theCeanothusgenus.
Most are evergreens, but there are also some deciduous options.
They can be free-standing or used as border plants or informal hedges.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Many gardeners choose to train certain cultivars to climb walls, fences, or even door arches.
Plant California lilacs in spring with full sun.
These plants are drought-tolerant once established.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Read on for our growing guide.
Too much shade, however, will result in disappointing blooms.
Soil
California lilacs do well in most soil types, providing they’re well-drained.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
They like fertile conditions that aren’t too heavy or soggy.
Chalky soils can cause yellowing leaves.
It’s also worth addingorganic matterto amend the soil to promote better drainage.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Otherwise, they won’t generally relish supplemental watering.
It’s best to do a single deep soaking, though, rather than little and often.
Wet soils are not appreciated, and you should allow the soil to dry between waterings.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
This means automatic irrigation systems can be problematic for this species.
The rarer, hardier deciduous species can handle wind and frost damage better than the evergreen varieties.
Types of California Lilacs
Ceanothuscome in a wide variety of sizes and growing habits.
Some popular species cultivars include:
Pruning
These shrubs don’t need a lot of pruning.
In fact, hard pruning of the evergreen species can be problematic, weakening their integrity and causing issues.
Pruning just the tips of the branches after it has finished flowering can help to keep a compact shape.
Do this right after the bloom season is over.
Deciduousceanothuscan cope with harder pruning, cutting back the last years woody growth in the early spring.
They will need protection, however, from icy winds that can damage buds.
If experiencing a late season frost, consider covering buds with a plant blanket for protection.
However, they can be bothered byscale insects, and honey fungus disease is occasionally a problem.
Bloom Months
Bloom times and lengths vary depending on the species and cultivar.
Some flower from late spring to summer, others from summer to fall.
What Do California Lilac Flowers Look Like?
Some cultivars, likeCeanothus(Joyce Coulter), are also known for their fragrant blooms.
Too much shade and overwatering can reduce bloom success.
Root Rot
Saturated, poorly draining soils can causeroot rot.
These plants prefer less water once established, so dial back watering if you notice this occurring.
Deciduous species can live for ten to fifteen years, but evergreen varieties might not even reach that age.
These species aren’t suited to growing in your home.
They have a spreading habit and grow best when their roots have the opportunity to extend out.
it’s possible for you to fan out the side branches and tie these in.
Remove branches extending beyond the wall after flowering, and train new shoots to fill in gaps.
