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'
- 'Gloire de Versailles', 'Henri Desfossé', 'Topaze'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Gloire de Versailles', 'Henri Desfossé', 'Topaze'
- Tags:
-
-
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