Ceanothus x thyrsiflorus Snow Flurries

The 'Snow Flurries' Ceanothus, sometimes marketed as 'Snow Flurry', is a highly popular variety of California Lilac known for its abundant pure white flowering. The bush forms a beautiful wide mass and is adorned with light green evergreen foliage, which is decorative in all seasons. Its clusters of white flowers, reminiscent of lilacs, are slightly fragrant and attract bees. Evergreen ceanothus has its rightful place in a seaside garden or a not-too-cold climate. This selection thrives in well-drained soils, tolerates summer drought well, and withstands short frosts of around -10°C once mature.

The Snow Flurries Ceanothus is a hybrid horticultural variety that carries the genes of the Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, also known as the blueblossom ceanothus. The latter is a vigorous species native to North America and Mexico, with a variable habit. Hardy down to -10°C, this bush has characteristic angular branches and bears alternate, entire, dentate, leathery leaves with prominent veins. Ceanothus belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and is related to our buckthorn. These shrubs are hosts of chaparral (scrub vegetation) and, once well-rooted, rely on rainwater.

'Snow Flurries' is a large bush that is wider than tall. It is a ramified shrub with a dense habit that can easily reach 1.80m in height and less than 2.20m in width. Depending on the climate, its generous flowering occurs between May and early July. It forms numerous oval clusters of 5-6cm composed of many tiny pure white flowers dusted with stamens. This delicately scented honey-like flowering attracts many pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It is followed by the formation of seeds, which, once mature, are explosively released. Its foliage persists in winter and consists of alternate, ovate-oblong, almost smooth-edged, trinerved leaves, relatively small, about 3-4cm long. They are light green. Ceanothus, which flowers on the previous year's wood, can tolerate very light pruning of faded flowers and troublesome branches just after flowering. Their average lifespan is 15 to 20 years.

The Snow Flurries Ceanothus is a beautiful plant that can be planted in a seaside garden or a drought-tolerant garden in mild regions. It can be placed as a standalone specimen, against a terrace, or in a mixed shrub border with simultaneous or staggered flowering: Fremontodendron californicum (April-May-June), shrubby rockroses, coronillas, 'Mutabilis' China Rose, Crape Myrtle... This variety can also be used in a persistent or mixed hedge, with laurel, photinias, Osmanthus...