Tuxedo California Lilac
Ceanothus x ‘FIT02’ TUXEDOÂ Â PP20,754Â
Other Common Names:Â Wild Lilac, Soap Bush, Tuxedo Wild Lilac
Plant Details
USDA Cold Hardiness Zones:Â 8a-10b (7?)Â Â Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Â Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Species:Â Ceanothus
Height at Maturity:Â 6-8′ depending on pruning
Width at Maturity:Â 6-8′ depending on pruning
Spacing:Â 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12’+ for space between plants
Spacing:Â 5-6′ for solid hedges; 12’+ for space between plants
Flower Color:Â Lavender to Lavender-Blue
Flower Size:Â Small in 3″ terminal clusters
Flowering Period:Â Late Summer to Mid-Fall
Flower Type:Â Single in clusters
Fragrant Flowers:Â –
Foliage Color:Â Glossy Grey-Green
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Berries:Â Â Seeds
Berry Color:Â Maroon to Black
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun; Part Shade in hot-summer climates is suggested
Water Needs:Â Â Average, Low when established
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, SiltÂ
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Well Drained Moist; Drought tolerant when established
Soil pH:Â 4.5 – 7.0 (Very Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Resistances:Â Deer –Â more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity
Intolerances:Â Constantly Soggy Soil
Attracts:Â Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Insects, Visual Attention
Description
A hybrid relative of our native American Ceanothus, ‘Tuxedo’ California Lilac is a breakthrough in breeding featuring dark bronze-purple glossy foliage. From late summer to mid fall abundant 3 inch long clusters of lavender-blue flowers resembling lilacs contrast beautifully with the dark foliage. With an upright open growth habit to 8 feet tall and equally as wide, Tuxedo is a fine addition to a sunny to partially shaded shrub border. In coastal climates we suggest morning sun with afternoon shade. You might be happy to know that Tuxedo is drought tolerant when established, attracts butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, and deer turn their nose up to it.
Ceanothus ‘Tuxedo’ originated as a branch sport discovered by Pat Fitzgerald in 2001 on Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ within a crop of Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ at Fitzgerald Nursery in Kilkenny Ireland.
Wildlife Value
Ceanothus is a larval host plant and highly attractive to various species of butterflies, moths and other beneficial pollinators.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and equally as wide, the Tuxedo California Lilac is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in flowering shrub borders. Grows well in containers that can be situated on decks and patios. A fine addition to butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, blue or purple theme gardens, cottage gardens and sunny to partially shaded woodland borders.
Suggested Spacing:Â 5 to 6 feet apart for hedge; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Tuxedo California Lilac adapts well to various soil types preferring a moist but well-drained acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Constantly soggy soil is a slow killer. Drought tolerant when established. In general they bloom better in partial shade with some shelter from the hot afternoon sun. That said, this species is known to tolerate more sun, even full sun.
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