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French Hybrid Ceanothus Ceanothus x delileanus

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
see-a-NOH-thus de-ly-lee-AY-nus
Description

The French Hybrid Ceanothus is a deciduous flowering shrub reaching 5 feet at maturity with an equal spread. It is an artificial hybrid produced from crossing two species of Ceanothus, C. americanus that is native to the eastern United States and C. caeruleus that is native to Mexico and Central America. The resulting hybrid, called a French hybrid, is a rounded shrub with fragrant powder blue flowers that bloom from early summer to early fall. The genus Ceanothus contains about 50 species, most of which are native to California (thus the common name, California Lilac). Most of these species thrive in the climate of California and the Pacific Northwest. However, the French Hybrid Ceanothus grows very well in the Southeastern United States and tolerates that heat and humidity often found in those locations.

The genus name comes from keanothos, which is an ancient Greek name relating to some plants in the buckthorn family. The hybrid name delileanus honors Alire Delile, an eighteenth century French botanist and physician.

French Hybrid Ceanothus grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It does tolerate some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. It does well in sandy loams or rocky soils with good drainage and prefers even applications of water. The plant's thick, woody roots go deep in the soil and help the plant withstand drought conditions, but make established shrubs difficult to transplant. You should site the plant in locations protected from strong winds. It is drought tolerant and flowers on new growth, so prune in spring to encourage new growth and more flowers and remove spent flower heads to prolong flowering.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Gloire de Versailles'
    Deciduous cultivar, powder blue flowers bloom summer to autumn (June–September).
  • 'Henri Desfossé'
    Dark blue flowers
  • 'Topaze'
    Blue flowers
'Gloire de Versailles', 'Henri Desfossé', 'Topaze'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#flowering shrub#ornamentals#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Gloire de Versailles'
    Deciduous cultivar, powder blue flowers bloom summer to autumn (June–September).
  • 'Henri Desfossé'
    Dark blue flowers
  • 'Topaze'
    Blue flowers
'Gloire de Versailles', 'Henri Desfossé', 'Topaze'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#flowering shrub#ornamentals#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ceanothus
    Family:
    Rhamnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Hybrid originating in France
    Distribution:
    Southeastern United States and other, like, climates.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies. Members of the genus Ceanothus support the following specialized bees: Pseudopanurgus pauper and Pseudopanurgus virginicus.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Lilac-like blue flower clusters bloom over a long season from June to September. Scented flowers bloom in panicles (4 to 5 inches long).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Lustrous broad-oval finely-toothed light green leaves to 3 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Rabbits