Ceanothus Skylark (California Lilac)
Dense and compact, Ceanothus ‘Skylark’ is a bushy, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of cerulean blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display. The blooms are borne on branches clad with finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves.
Dense and compact, Ceanothus 'Skylark' is a bushy, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of cerulean blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display. The blooms are borne on branches clad with finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves. Usually ignored by deer, this pretty, dome-shaped shrub is prized by birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. 'Skylark' has a wide tolerance of climates and soil types and performs well both in coastal and interior sites.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 9-12 ft. wide (270-360 cm).
- Thrives in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Provide a sheltered position. Requires little or no water in summer. Drought tolerant.
- Excellent plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, wall-side borders, banks and slopes, hedges and screens or planted in shrub borders. Perfectly suited to coastal gardens as this plant doesn’t mind salt-laden sea air.
- Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Watch for scale insects, honey fungus and Phytophthora root disease.
Requirements
Hardiness | 7 – 10 |
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Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Ceanothus – California Lilac |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early) |
Height | 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm) |
Spread | 9' – 12' (270cm – 3.6m) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |