Blue Blossom
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, 3 gal.
Description: True to its moniker, blueblossom presents a truly spectacular profusion of light blue to dark indigo flowers. The small flowers bloom in dense panicles at shoot tips and are highly favored by native pollinators and birds. This small evergreen shrub prefers full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating disturbed poor soils and occasional drought conditions. The leathery oval leaves are glossy and dark green, providing year round interest and cover.
- At maturity, the average Blueblossom will reach 6 to 10 feet tall with a 5 or 6 foot spread. They can be trimmed into compact round cushions or left alone to form their nice natural shape.
- The evergreen leaves are deep glossy green, very small in size and quite sturdy. The closely arrayed leaves provide good protection for small birds, keeping them hidden from predators.
- A few weeks after blooming, the flowers will be gone and the small shiny green leaves will absorb some of the heat from the pavement, cooling the air through the hot summertime. They'll keep that green, tidy appearance during winter, even if we get snow as we sometimes do.
We highly recommend this all-star native shrub for all gardens whether large or small, city or country. It thrives in sun or shade and require minimal care. I've never watered mine. It grows beneath a huge Doug Fir and blooms its little heart out every year. The only thing Blueblossom lacks is strong fragrance but with all that beautiful blue, the lack of aroma is rarely noticed.
Click here for Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database
photo credit: J20160407-0012—Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus ‘Tilden Park”—RPBG, John Rusk, Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado', plant right, Flickr, CC by 2.0
