Ceanothus × pallidus Marie Simon (California Lilac)

Enjoying a long blooming season, Ceanothus × pallidus 'Marie Simon' (California Lilac) is a very pretty, rounded shrub prized for its fluffy panicles, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), of fragrant, light pink flowers. Blooming from summer through fall, the flowers are a real delight to butterflies. Borne on wine red stems, they are held above the nicely contrasting foliage of broadly oval, dark glossy leaves. The flowers are followed by ornamental red seed capsules. Fast-growing, this beautiful deciduous shrub is cold hardy, tough and adaptable. Ideal for the mixed border and small gardens.

• Grows with a bushy habit, up to 5 ft. tall and wide (150 cm).
• Thrives in average, 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 resistant.
• Excellent background plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, wall-side borders, or planted in shrub borders
• Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.
• Cut back in spring to encourage a bushy shape