Ceanothus × delileanus Gloire de Versailles (California Lilac)

Enjoying a long blooming season, award-winner Ceanothus × delileanus 'Gloire de Versailles' (California Lilac) is a vigorous, rounded shrub prized for its large panicles, up to 5 in. long (12 cm), of fragrant, powder blue flowers. Blooming from spring through fall, the flowers are a real delight to butterflies. Borne on reddish stems, they are held above the nicely contrasting foliage of broadly oval, light green leaves. The flowers are followed by showy clusters of red berries. Fast-growing, this beautiful deciduous shrub is a French hybrid resulting from crossing Ceanothus americanus (native to eastern U.S.) and Ceanothus coeruleus (native to Mexico).

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows with a light, open habit, up to 3-5 ft. tall and wide (90-150 cm).
• Thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Provide a sheltered position. Drought tolerant, but looks most spectacular with regular irrigation.
• Deer and salt resistant.
• 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.
• Cut back in fall or early spring to encourage a bushy shape
• Propagate by softwood cuttings
• Watch for scale insects, honey fungus and Phytophthora root disease.