Ceanothus Blue Mound

Ceanothus 'Blue Mound' is an evergreen variety forming a rounded and spreading, very dense clump, reaching about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height and 2 m (6.6 ft) in spread at maturity. Its intense green foliage, composed of small shiny oval leaves, serves as a backdrop in May-June for a superb, very bright sky-blue flowering. Not demanding on soil type, fast growing, not fearing the sun or drought, it ages better in poor and light soils, and prefers regions with mild winters.

Evergreen ceanothus are native to California. They belong to the Rhamnaceae family and are cousins of buckthorn (Frangula alnus).

'Blue Mound' was selected by Hillier Nurseries in England. This excellent variety holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. It has a naturally bushy, compact and spreading habit; it is a bushy shrub that can reach 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height and 2 m (6.6 ft) in spread in a few years. In May and June, an abundance of flowers appears at the end of the branches in the form of small dense panicles of bright sky-blue flowers. This fragrant flowering attracts many pollinating insects. It is followed by the formation of seeds which, once mature, are explosively released. The evergreen foliage is composed of small alternate, elongated and finely toothed leaves, of a shiny dark green, 1 cm to 3 cm (0.4 in to 1.2 in) long. This variety tolerates light pruning after flowering. Its average lifespan is 15 to 20 years, and its preferred climate will be rather maritime.

In recent years, horticulturists have 'invented' new varieties of ceanothus that are smaller and easier to acclimatise, making them perfect for our gardens and terraces. With good hardiness that goes down to -10°C to -12°C (14° F to 10.4° F) in well-drained soil, tolerating slightly limestone soils if they are light, 'Blue Mound' is an adorable small evergreen that is easy to integrate into the garden or rockery. Planted on the edge of a larger shrub bed, it adds the final touch that is appreciated in a well-kept garden. It can be planted with cistus, which is also evergreen and flowering in spring. Their pink or white corollas will harmonise perfectly with the bright blue clusters of 'Blue Mound'. This medium-sized variety will also enhance your balconies and terraces, with a few precautions.