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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: Susan Frommer

Description

This cultivar has a generous amount of medium blue, tiny flowers in 3"-5" clusters. It can (with good drainage) tolerate garden moisture and heavy soils. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Maintenance Tips

Ceanothus 'Joyce Coulter' is a low-growing hybrid of the native California Lilac. This variety can reach 2’ tall and up to 8’ wide. It can also occasionally send up some vertical growth, so prune out the upright branches as they emerge if you want to keep the ground cover form. To keep the maintenance as low as possible, plant in full sun, in well-drained soil, and give this plant the room it needs to reach its full mature size. The amount of space this plant requires is often underestimated, leading to poor pruning habits, like shearing, to control the size. If it is planted in a tight space, it is best to use the thinning method of pruning, cutting off the longest branches to the interior of the plant to allow sunlight in and to allow it to keep a natural shape. Over-watering during the hottest months of the year can lead to both pest and fungal issues. Water infrequently and deeply throughout the year and keep the soil around the base of the plant dry to help discourage pest and disease problems.