We're offering you a Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus Skylark Plant for £19.99, saving you up to 33% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £29.99 (correct as of 18.12.2025).

Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus 'Skylark' – Californian Lilac

Breathe vibrant life into your garden with the Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus 'Skylark', a compact evergreen shrub famed as the Californian Lilac. This variety delivers a profusion of deep blue flower clusters each spring, transforming borders and walls with its striking colour and lush foliage.

• Botanical Profile: Ceanothus thyrsiflorus is native to California, thriving as a dense, bushy shrub with glossy green leaves and masses of blue flowers.
• Flowering Period: Enjoy a spectacular display from May to June, when the shrub bursts into bloom with rich blue panicles that attract bees and pollinators.
• Mature Size: Typically reaches 1.2–1.5m in height and spread, making it perfect for smaller gardens or urban spaces.
• Growth Habit: Naturally compact and spreading, ideal for training against sunny walls, fences, or as a feature in mixed borders.

Growing Guide & Care

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade.
• Soil Requirements: Grows best in well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–7.0). Avoid waterlogged conditions.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season; once established, it is drought tolerant.
• Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Avoid hard pruning into old wood.
• Hardiness: Hardy in most UK regions (USDA zones 8–10), tolerating light frost but benefits from shelter in colder areas.
• Fertilising: Mulch annually with well-rotted compost; excessive feeding is unnecessary.

Design Ideas & Companions

• Create a Mediterranean look: Pair with lavender, rosemary, or ornamental grasses for year-round interest.
• Add to wildlife gardens: Its nectar-rich blooms support bees and butterflies throughout late spring.
• Screens & Backdrops: Use as an informal hedge or backdrop for perennial borders.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant?
  The best time to plant Ceanothus 'Skylark' is in autumn or early spring when the soil is moist and workable.
• How fast does it grow?
  'Skylark' is moderately fast-growing, reaching its mature size within 3–5 years under ideal conditions.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  This shrub prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil. It does not tolerate heavy clay or waterlogged ground.