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Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ (California Lilac)

California Lilac 'Ray Hartman', Ceanothus 'Blue Sky'

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Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman',  California Lilac 'Ray Hartman', Blue Flowers, Fragrant Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Ceanothus 'Blue Sky'
Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman',  California Lilac 'Ray Hartman', Blue Flowers, Fragrant Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Ceanothus 'Blue Sky'

One of the largest growing California Lilacs, Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ is a vigorous, evergreen shrub or small tree noted for its abundant clusters of radiant medium blue flowers, up to 5 in. long (12 cm), in late spring and early summer. Opening from rosy buds, the sweetly fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds. They are well displayed against the foliage of large, rounded, dark green leaves. Deer love the new growth on this California Lilac. A fast grower, this wonderful shrub is heat tolerant, low maintenance, and extremely drought tolerant. It is regarded by many as one of the most reliable and garden-tolerant ceanothuses. ‘Ray Hartman’ is a hybrid California Lilac variety resulting from a cross between Ceanothus arboreus and Ceanothus griseus.

  • Awarded the Award of Merit by the California Horticultural Society (1957).
  • Grows with a dense, upright habit, up to 12-20 ft. tall (360-600 cm) and 10-20 ft. wide (300-600 cm).
  • Thrives in well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates partial shade, but the best flower production is obtained in full sun. Tolerant of heavy clay as well as light, sandy soil. Provide a sheltered position. Requires little or no water in summer.
  • Excellent plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, hedges and screens or planted in shrub borders. Perfectly suited to coastal gardens as this plant doesn’t mind salt-laden sea air.
  • Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Rhamnaceae
Genus Ceanothus
Common names California Lilac
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 12' - 20' (3.7m - 6.1m)
Spread 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
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)
Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)

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 9 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Rhamnaceae
Genus Ceanothus
Common names California Lilac
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height 12' - 20' (3.7m - 6.1m)
Spread 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
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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