Ceanothus El Dorado (California Lilac)

A lovely selection of variegated California Lilac, Ceanothus ‘El Dorado’ is a bushy, evergreen shrub noted for its dark green leaves splashed with bright lime-yellow. They create a lovely contrast with the profuse clusters of small, blue flowers which open in late spring and early summer. Usually ignored by deer, this pretty shrub of graceful, arching habit, is prized by birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. Eye-catching, it sparks interest all year-round, even when not in bloom.

A lovely selection of variegated California Lilac, Ceanothus 'El Dorado' is a bushy, evergreen shrub noted for its dark green leaves splashed with bright lime-yellow. They create a lovely contrast with the profuse clusters of small, blue flowers which open in late spring and early summer. Usually ignored by deer, this pretty shrub of graceful, arching habit, is prized by birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. Eye-catching, it sparks interest all year-round, even when not in bloom.

  • Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall and wide (180-300 cm).
  • Thrives in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Provide a sheltered position. Light shade tolerated. Drought and heat tolerant.
  • Excellent plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, wall-side borders, hedges and screens or planted in shrub borders.
  • Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.
  • Prune after flowering.
  • Watch for honey fungus.

Requirements

Hardiness 7
– 11

Heat Zones 3
– 10

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 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
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early)
Height 6'
– 10'
(180cm
– 3m)
Spread 6'
– 10'
(180cm
– 3m)
Spacing 120″ (300cm)
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, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden