California Lilac Information - Get Some Facts On California Lilac Plants

California Lilac Information Some are upright bushes reaching 8 or 9 feet (2 to 2.5 m.) in height while others are compact, low growing groundcovers that seldom reach more than 6 inches (15 cm.) in height. Plants are evergreen and have small to medium glossy green leaves which accent the bright to light blue flowers.

Is California lilac fast growing?

Ceanothus, commonly known as California Lilac, offers almost everything a gardener could wish for in a shrub: free-flowering, lovely foliage, ease of cultivation, drought and salt tolerance. Fast growing, these desirable shrubs draw attention with their stunning flowers.

Is California lilac poisonous?

Ceanothus 'Concha' has no toxic effects reported.

When should I prune my California lilac?

Late spring and early-summer-flowering evergreens

Prune these immediately after flowering, using secateurs to cut back long, flowered shoots by one-third to a half. If needed, you can lightly trim these plants again in late summer.

How tall does ceanothus grow?

Some Ceanothus grow large, up to 6 metres tall, with a spread of 8 meters, such as Trewithen Blue, which makes checking the plant label important to know the eventual size of the shrub. Good strong blue varieties with the RHS garden merit award are 'Trewithen Blue' and 'Cascade.

Do lilacs need a lot of water?

Water. Once established, lilacs require irrigation only during periods of drought. To water a newly planted lilac, provide water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid dry soil during this time, as dry soil creates drought stress in young plants.

Is Epsom salt good for lilacs?

Lastly, lilacs do not like overly acidic soil. One trick to encouraging them to bloom is fertilizing them with Epsom salts during the dormant period. ... Epsom salts are a good natural fertilizer for lilacs and tomatoes. Add about one cup of Epsom salts to the soil around the drip line of the plant.

Is Lilac poisonous to humans?

Are Lilacs Poisonous to Children? Lilac plants, from their flowers to their roots, are not toxic to humans at all. In fact, when well washed, the flowers of lilacs are edible.

Do lilac bushes grow in California?

These Lilac species are good for southern California gardens. However, they are just a place to start. Not all may grow in your garden and many from central and northern California may grow just fine as well. ... California Lilacs, or Ceanothus, are some of our most fragrant and colorful shrubs here in California.

Are lilac leaves edible?

For most the year, lilac bushes are pretty boring. ... I'd plant lilacs just for those magical two weeks, and the way their scent fills the air. But believe it or not, they have one more gift to offer… lilacs are edible!

How do you shape a California lilac?

We recommend pruning Ceanothus at the beginning of spring. Do not cut the branches down further than two thirds and try to cut just above an outward facing bud. In the case of mature plants, the branches can be reduced by half. If your Californian lilac is too dense, rejuvenation pruning may be necessary.

Can you take cuttings from California lilac?

You can, indeed, take cuttings of your California Lilac (Ceanothus) to increase your stock of plants. Semi-ripe wood responds best and this is the right time of year to take them. ... You'll know your cuttings have rooted when new growth begins and the cuttings show some resistance when you try to gently pull them up.

How tall do California lilacs grow?

California lilac comes in several forms for use in the landscape. Some are upright bushes reaching 8 or 9 feet (2 to 2.5 m.) in height while others are compact, low growing groundcovers that seldom reach more than 6 inches (15 cm.) in height.

Is ceanothus good for bees?

Ceanothus seems to be very attractive to pollinators; especially bees like the flowers and we often see quite a number of different species busily collecting pollen and nectar, even on less sunny days. ... It will flower in spring and the flowers attract an array of pollinators.

Does ceanothus make a good hedge?

Ceanothus. If you're after an informal, flowering hedge, California lilac (Ceanothus) is a lovely choice. It's best planted in a sheltered, sunny position. Prune it lightly after flowering – as with any hedge pruning, you should wait until any nesting birds have departed before you cut.

Does Ceanothus flower twice?

As long as it has plenty of light and space, it grows almost anywhere, on a wide range of soils. The blue flowers are prolific and fragrant and highly attractive to butterflies. They're so keen to flower that you'll often get them to flower twice – May and then October.

Are coffee grounds good for lilacs?

Using Fresh Coffee Grounds

Grow lilacs in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (at a pH near 7.0). If your soil is in poor condition, add compost to enrich.

Is there a difference between a lilac tree and a lilac bush?

To clear up any confusion, there is no difference between a lilac bush and a lilac tree, they are the same plant just called by different names.

How do you rejuvenate a lilac bush?

Old, neglected lilacs can be renewed or rejuvenated by pruning. Home gardeners can choose between two different pruning methods. One way to renew a large, overgrown lilac is to cut the entire plant back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground in late winter (March or early April).

Is Miracle Grow good for lilacs?

To get lilacs off to a nutrient-filled start, improve individual planting holes by blending Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs with the native soil in a 50:50 ratio. This garden soil also contains phosphorus and iron to encourage root growth and help prevent leaves from yellowing.

What fertilizer is best for lilacs?

Bone meal is a great fertilizer for lilac bushes. This is because it makes soil more alkaline. It is a natural plant food easy for the lilac to intake. Fertilizing lilacs isn't strictly necessary except after the first and second years of planting.

How do I get more flowers on my lilac bush?

A lilac bush needs at least 6 hours of sun or more in order to bloom their very best. You can move it or prune back the trees shading it. Be aware that moving it may cause it to not bloom for another entire year so be patient. Also, you might need to thin the bush to make sure sunlight is getting through the foliage.