Ceanothus 'Autumnal Blue'

Californian lilac

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: August to October
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This handsome, evergreen shrub has fluffy clusters of sky-blue flowers from August to October and small, glossy, bright green leaves.It has a strong, upright habit and is ideal for training on a sunny wall, or for the back of a south or west-facing shrub border or sunny wall. Although it is one of the hardier varieties of Californian lilac, it does needs protection from strong winds.
  
  
• Garden care: In spring remove any dead or damaged stems, cut back some of the main stems to the base and reduce the stems on the previous year's growth to within 2-4 buds of the older wood.