Ceanothus Frosty Blue

Identification

Description

Ceanothus Frosty Blue' is an evergreen mountain lilac that grows to six or eight feet tall and about as wide. A little nipping here and there can move it taller or narrower. The flowers are a medium blue with dashes of white. This mountain lilac makes it's presence known in Mar-May with vast sprays of blues flowers covering the plant. The foliage is a glossy with small dark green leaves. Fast, fast enough to make a three year small tree'. This plant holds its shape, does excellent inland with once a month water after est.. We have some down the road that have survived and flowered on a south facing road cut for 15 years with no water. One of the most uniform and tolerant of varied conditions, from drought to garden, sun to shade. The only problem has been chlorosis in alkaline soils (and they usually grow out of it).. It is fast, to maturity in 18 months. Hardy to 0F. Easy hedge plant, small screen, focal plant in a drought tolerant garden. The myth of Ceanothus being short lived is primarily spread by incompetent gardeners that insist on drip irrigation, summer water and soil amending. Native plants hate all three. Expect a 20-25 year life in most gardens if you treat Ceanothus as the drought tolerant plants they are. Click here for more about Mountain Lilacs.