Puneet Varma (Editor)

Ceanothus arboreus

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Rhamnaceae

Scientific name
  
Ceanothus arboreus

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Rosales

Genus
  
Ceanothus

Higher classification
  
California lilac

Ceanothus arboreus wwwlaspilitascomimagesgrid24243760simages

Similar
  
California lilac, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Ceanothus impressus, Ceanothus griseus, Ceanothus foliosus

Big plant nursery ceanothus arboreus trewithen blue


Ceanothus arboreus, with the common names feltleaf ceanothus, island ceanothus, and island mountain lilac, is a species of Ceanothus shrub in California.

Contents

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus arboreus Tree Lilac

Distribution

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus arboreus Tree Lilac

The plant is endemic to coastal southern California, primarily on three of the Channel Islands: Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and Santa Catalina Island.

It is found on slopes in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.

Description

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus arboreus 39Trewithen Blue39 Lambley Nursery

Ceanothus arboreus is a spreading bush growing up to 12–36 feet (3.7–11.0 m) in height. It has glossy dark green leaves which are leathery or felt-like on their undersides.

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus Arboreus 39Trewithen Blue39 from Burncoose Nurseries

Its showy bright blue flowers grow in plentiful panicles, or bunches, of tiny five-lobed blossoms. Some varieties and cultivars have light, powder blue blooms, and others bear darker blue flowers. The bloom period is February to April.

The fruits are three-lobed, triangular capsules.

Cultivation

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus arboreus Wikipedia

'Ceanothus arboreus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in drought tolerant and wildlife gardens and natural landscaping projects. Butterflies like the flowers and the quail eat the seeds.

Cultivars

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use, including:

Ceanothus arboreus Ceanothus arboreus Felt Leaf Ceanothus California lilac Tree

  • Ceanothus arboreus 'Cliff Schmidt' — more compact habit and deeper blue flowers.
  • Ceanothus arboreus 'Owlswood Blue'.
  • Ceanothus arboreus 'Powder Blue' — Powder Blue Ceanothus, Compact Feltleaf Ceanothus.
  • Ceanothus arboreus 'Skylark'
  • Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue' — very dark blue flowered form from the Channel Islands. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

  • Ceanothus arboreus

    References

    Ceanothus arboreus Wikipedia