Ceanothus Puget Blue (California Lilac)

Regarded as one of the hardiest California Lilacs for gardens, award-winner Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ is a dense, rounded, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant sprays of luminous, lavender-blue flowers in late spring and early summer. They are produced in such quantities that they literally obscure the foliage. The blooms are borne on gracefully ascending, arching branches clad with small, narrow, dark green leaves.

Regarded as one of the hardiest California Lilacs for gardens, award-winner Ceanothus 'Puget Blue' is a dense, rounded, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant sprays of luminous, lavender-blue flowers in late spring and early summer. They are produced in such quantities that they literally obscure the foliage. The blooms are borne on gracefully ascending, arching branches clad with small, narrow, dark green leaves. Ignored by hungry deer, this pretty shrub is a real magnet for birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. A deservedly popular Californian Lilac.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows with an upright habit, up to 6-8 ft. tall and wide (180-240 cm).
  • Thrives in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot summer areas. This plant tolerates a wide range of soils and alkalinity. Provide a sheltered position. Established plants need no summer water, but will tolerate it. Drought tolerant.
  • Excellent background 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.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Watch for scale insects, honey fungus and Phytophthora root disease.

Requirements

Hardiness 7
– 10

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 6'
– 8'
(180cm
– 240cm)
Spread 6'
– 8'
(180cm
– 240cm)
Spacing 96″ (240cm)
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