Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

creeping blue blossom

Vigorous evergreen shrub about 90cm tall and 2.5m wide, with a spreading habit, but much taller when grown against a wall. Arching branches bear glossy mid-green leaves to 4cm long. Masses of light blue flowers, in compact panicles are produced in spring

Synonyms
Ceanothus repens
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Rhamnaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Ceanothus can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees, with simple leaves and small blue, pink or white flowers in profuse axillary or terminal clusters. They are fast-growing but may be short-lived

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from strong, cold winds. Lime tolerant but may become chlorotic on shallow chalk soils. See ceanothus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in mid to late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Pruning group 8 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.