Ceanothus arboreus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ceanothus arboreus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Ceanothus
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| Species: |
arboreus
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| Natural range of Ceanothus arboreus | |
Ceanothus arboreus, with the common names feltleaf ceanothus, island ceanothus, and island mountain lilac, is a species of Ceanothus shrub in California.
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Distribution
The plant is endemic to coastal southern California, primarily on three of the Channel Islands: Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, and Santa Catalina Island.
It is found on slopes in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.
Description
Ceanothus arboreus is a spreading bush growing up to 12–36 feet (3.7–11.0 m) in height. It has large, glossy, dark green leaves which are leathery or felt-like on their undersides.
Its showy bright blue flowers grow in plentiful panicles, or bunches, of tiny five-lobed blossoms. Some varieties and cultivars have light, powder blue blooms, and others bear darker blue flowers. The bloom period is February to April.
The fruits are three-lobed, triangular capsules.
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Cultivation
'Ceanothus arboreus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in drought tolerant and wildlife gardens and natural landscaping projects. Butterflies like the flowers and the quail eat the seeds.
Cultivars
Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use, including:
- Ceanothus arboreus 'Cliff Schmidt' — more compact habit and deeper blue flowers.
- Ceanothus arboreus 'Owlswood Blue'.
- Ceanothus arboreus 'Powder Blue' — Powder Blue Ceanothus, Compact Feltleaf Ceanothus.
- Ceanothus arboreus 'Skylark'
- Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue' — very dark blue flowered form from the Channel Islands. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
