Other Names:  Holly-leaved Ceanothus

Description:

An upright spreading, open shrub featuring oval, dark green wavy foliage that is edged with spiny teeth; beautiful lavender-purple flower clusters add color in early spring; perfect for border edges and rock gardens

Ornamental Features

Hollyleaf Ceanothus is bathed in stunning cymes of lavender star-shaped flowers with purple overtones along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The serrated oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The smooth gray bark and burgundy branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Hollyleaf Ceanothus is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading
• Spiny

Hollyleaf Ceanothus is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Hollyleaf Ceanothus will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.