The Ceanothus ‘SIlver Surprise‘ or Californian lilac ‘Surprise’, is a pretty evergreen shrub with unique cream and green foliage that delights throughout the year. This variegated foliage is highlighted by clouds of mauve blue flowers that appear in late spring.
Reaching a height of around 120cm and a spread of 90cm, this fragrant, bushy shrub is perfect as a wall side border and in flower beds or gravel gardens.
It is hardy in coastal and mild parts of the UK down to around -1 degrees and will remain of interest all year round thanks to its variegated evergreen foliage. This shrub comes with support canes in a 3 litre pot and should be planted in a position of full sun into moist but well drained alkaline or neutral soil.
It is very easy to grow and generally pest free however it may suffer from honey fungus or scale insects. Prune dead, diseased or damaged shoots after flowering and mulch in autumn with well-rotted organic matter.
Details
- Ceanothus ‘SIlver Surprise’ in a 3 litre pot
- Flower colour: Blue
- Foliage colour: Cream, White, Green
- Position: Full sun
- Aspect: South-facing, East-facing or West-facing
- Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
- Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral
- Hardiness: Hardy in coastal and mild parts of the UK down to around -1 degrees
- Flowering period: May to July
- Plant height: 120cm
- Plant width: 90cm