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Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ (California Lilac)

California Lilac 'Dark Star'

AGM Award
Ceanothus 'Dark Star',  California Lilac 'Dark Star', Blue Flowers, Fragrant Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs

Incredibly showy, award-winner Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ (California Lilac) is a spreading, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of fragrant, dark royal blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display. The blooms are borne on gracefully arching branches clad with tiny, ovate, dark green leaves with deeply impressed veins. Usually ignored by deer, this pretty shrub is prized by birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. A great California Lilac selection for coastal gardens.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows with a dense, vase-shaped habit, up to 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm) and 8-10 ft. wide (240-300 cm).
  • Thrives in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Provide a sheltered position. Requires little or no water in summer. Drought tolerant.
  • Excellent plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, wall-side borders, banks and slopes, hedges and screens or planted in shrub borders. Best suited to coastal gardens
  • Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.
  • Prune after flowering.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Watch for scale insects, honey fungus and Phytophthora root disease.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rhamnaceae
Genus Ceanothus
Common names California Lilac
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ceanothus integerrimus (Deerbrush)
Ceanothus oliganthus (Hairy Ceanothus)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus (Carmel Ceanothus)
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (Blue Blossom)
Ceanothus cuneatus (Buckbrush)
Ceanothus ‘Remote Blue’ (Mountain Lilac)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helianthemum ‘Henfield Brilliant’ (Rock Rose)
Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom)
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii (Mediterranean Spurge)
Clematis montana var. rubens ‘Pink Perfection’ (Montana Group)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Rhamnaceae
Genus Ceanothus
Common names California Lilac
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Spacing 120" (3m)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Not sure which Ceanothus (California Lilac) to pick?
Compare Now

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