Other Names:  syn. Ceanothus Plum Purple

Description:

An open, fan shaped shrub, selected for its dark, near black, glossy foliage, and stunning lavender-blue flower clusters in late summer to fall; perfect for shrub borders or as a hedge or screen; very hardy, and drought tolerant once established

Ornamental Features

Tuxedo California Lilac is bathed in stunning clusters of lavender star-shaped flowers with sky blue overtones at the ends of the branches from late summer to mid fall. It has attractive burgundy-variegated deep purple foliage with hints of black which emerges green in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain deep purple throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Tuxedo California Lilac is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. 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

Tuxedo California Lilac is recommended for the following landscape applications;

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

Planting & Growing

Tuxedo California Lilac will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 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 considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. 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 particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.