Ceanothus 'Frosty Blue'

Ceanothus 'Frosty Blue' is an evergreen mountain lilac that grows to six or eight feet tall and about as wide. A little nipping here and there can move it taller or narrower. The flowers are a medium blue with dashes of white. This mountain lilac makes its presence known in Mar-May with vast sprays of blue flowers covering the plant. The foliage is glossy with small dark green leaves. Fast growing, fast enough to make a small tree within three years. This plant holds its shape, does excellent inland with once a month water after established. We have some plants down the road that have survived and flowered on a south-facing road cut for 15 years with no water. One of the most uniform and tolerant of varied conditions, from drought to garden, sun to shade. The only problem has been chlorosis in alkaline soils (and they usually grow out of it). It is fast, to maturity in 18 months. Hardy to 0 degrees F. Easy hedge plant, small screen, or focal plant in a drought tolerant garden.
The myth of Ceanothus being short lived is primarily spread by incompetent gardeners that insist upon applying drip irrigation, summer water and soil amendments. Upland California native plants hate all three. Expect a 20 year life in most gardens if you treat Ceanothus as the drought tolerant plants they are. Click here for more about Mountain Lilacs.
Ceanothus Frosty Blue was selected by Percy Everett at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic garden in 1964.