Ceanothus Cascade

Ceanothus Cascade or Californian Lilac Cascade
Ceanothus Cascade is an evergreen ornamental shrub with striking blue flowers in spring through to summer. Commonly known as Californian Lilac Cascade this vigorous shrub has plenty of uses in a garden. In spring and summer you’ll find this rounded shrub produces hardy pale blue flowers on arching branches. The flowers are set in panicles that can reach up 8cm in length. Often, Ceanothus Cascade will flower in early spring bringing one of the first deep colours of the coming summer and attracting the first pollinating insects.

How Hardy Is Ceanothus Cascade
As a UK bred variety of Ceanothus, Californian Lilac Cascade is hardy and able to withstand most UK frosts, but it does need planting in a sheltered spot without frost pockets or cold, drying winds. Any sheltered area is suitable and it will thrive on a south facing wall.

How To Use Ceanothus Cascade
Ceanothus Cascade can grow to a maximum height of four metres and spread over four metres too, so you’ll need to make space for this beauty. It will take five to 10 years to reach this height. Ceanothus Cascade looks stunning as a standalone bush, but you can also train it against a wall by tying back stems and cutting off forward growth. Companion plants that look attractive with Californian Lilac Cascade are clematis that use the strong woody stems for support, and fragrant honeysuckles.

How To Care For Ceanothus Cascade
Virtually trouble-free these shrubs are tolerant and tough but you can improve your flower display by ensuring the soil is moist and well-drained. Ceanothus can struggle on acid soils, preferring alkaline and neutral pH gardens, but if you have acid soil dig plenty of organic matter into the planting hole and top this up each year. Minimal pruning is required, making Ceanothus Cascade a good choice for busy gardeners, but trimming back extra growth in late winter will maintain shape and height. Ceanothus don’t respond well to harsh pruning, so keep on top of the growth each year and don’t cut into old wood.  Removing one third of the long flowered shoots will maintain a manageable and attractive size shrub.

The RHS has given Ceanothus Cascade the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) underlining the fact that this shrub is one of the best for colour, toughness and beauty. If you need a self sufficient plant for a big space, and don’t mind a yearly prune, Californian Lilac Cascade is a top choice.