Ceanothus impressus Cool Blue

Ceanothus impressus Cool Blue (‘Huico02’), also known as Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Cool Blue' and Ceanothus impressus 'Huico02' COOL BLUE, is a recent variety of ceanothus, which stands out with its elegant evergreen foliage variegated with white cream. Its bright little leaves perfectly highlight the panicles of light blue and vibrant flowers that adorn the bush in spring. This variegated foliage mutation of Ceanothus 'Skylark' possesses the same cold resistance qualities, as well as the same ease of cultivation. This beautiful bush thrives in light soil but also tolerates heavier soils that dry out in summer. Unlike other evergreen ceanothus, it tolerates summer irrigation fairly well.

Cool Blue is a horticultural hybrid originating from Ceanothus impressus, a botanical species native to California. This beautiful, tolerant, highly ornamental and hardy selection received the Gold medal at the Plantarium in Boskoop (Netherlands) in 2015. Ceanothus belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. 

Cool Blue forms a bushy, slightly upright, dense shrub that tends to widen with age. It reaches a height of approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) and a width of 1.5 m to 1.75 m (4.9 ft to 5.7 ft) within 5 years. Its inflorescences appear in abundance in April-May. The flowers bloom at the ends of branches in dense panicles of tiny light blue flowers with protruding stamens. This abundant and slightly fragrant flowering attracts numerous pollinating insects. Occasionally, depending on the year, the bush may produce a few flowers again in October. The evergreen foliage consists of small, shiny, alternate, elongated oval leaves, irregularly marginated with white cream on a dark green background. This variety tolerates light pruning. Its average lifespan is 15 years. 

In recent years, horticulturists have 'invented' beautiful varieties of ceanothus that are easier to acclimatise and have more modest dimensions, suitable for our gardens and terraces. With good hardiness down to -15° C (5° F) in well-drained or dry soil, Cool Blue is a beautiful subject to plant either as a solitary specimen or in a mass planting of easy-to-grow shrubs in not-too-cold, even dry climates. To accompany it, consider for example Buddleia officinalis (pale pink, starting in February-March), Fremontodendron californicum (in April-May-June), coronillas (in April), shrubby rock roses (Cistus laurifolius, in May), as well as botanical roses and strawberry trees. It can be planted in mass plantings, as a free hedge, in a dry garden, as well as by the seaside.