Description

Looking for a California lilac with real character? Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ is a great choice. Italian Skies is a compact evergreen ceanothus with small, dark green leaves and bright, clear blue flower clusters in late spring.

Ceanothus, the California lilac, produces dense clusters of tiny, intensely coloured flowers, usually in shades of blue. Evergreen varieties are fast-growing and ideal for sunny walls, fences and borders.

Key features of Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

• Plant type: Evergreen flowering shrub
• Season of interest: Late spring
• Look: Bright blue flower clusters on a compact evergreen
• Height and spread: 1.5m x 1.5m
• Position: Full sun in a sheltered spot
• Soil: Free-draining soil, tolerant of poor ground
• Hardiness: Hardy in most of the UK given shelter
• Supplied in: 3L pot
• Best for: sunny walls and borders, coastal gardens, pollinator planting, sunny walls and fences

Why choose Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’?

• Clear blue spring flowers
• Compact evergreen shrub
• Good for smaller gardens

Where to plant Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ grows best in full sun in a sheltered spot, in free-draining soil, tolerant of poor ground. It is a good choice for sunny walls and borders, and also works well for coastal gardens, pollinator planting and sunny walls and fences. It combines beautifully with cistus, lavender, roses and grasses in a sunny border.

How to plant Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

Give the pot a good soak first. Then dig a wide planting hole, enrich the soil with compost, and plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the ground. Firm in gently and water well, then add a mulch to hold in moisture.

How to care for Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’

Water during the first summer. Established plants are drought-tolerant and need no feeding. Prune lightly after flowering and avoid cutting into old wood; shelter from the harshest cold. Prune lightly after flowering. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood, as it rarely regrows. Plants can be relatively short-lived, and hard pruning into old wood often fails to regrow.

Growing Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ in a pot

Compact forms suit large pots. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, make sure the pot has drainage holes, and water regularly in summer, as containers dry out faster than borders.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Our plants are nursery-grown at St Annes in North West England, raised outdoors and in tunnels in real UK weather rather than a hothouse, so they arrive healthy, acclimatised and well rooted. This Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ grow?
Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ typically reaches 1.5m x 1.5m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is late spring, when it shows bright blue flower clusters on a compact evergreen.

Is Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ hardy?
Hardy in most of the UK given shelter.

How do I prune Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’?
Prune lightly after flowering. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood, as it rarely regrows.

Can I prune Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ hard?
No. Prune lightly after flowering and avoid cutting into old, bare wood, which may not regrow.

Is Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ good for bees?
Yes. Ceanothus flowers are very popular with bees.

Add Ceanothus ‘Italian Skies’ to your basket today and enjoy late spring interest in your garden.