California Lilac Emily Brown

An unusual but attractive California lilac for very mild and seaside gardens, Ceanothus gloriosus var exaltatus Emily Brown is a very low, evergreen shrub with a dense, prostrate, mat-forming habit. Reddish-brown stems carry small, oblong to ovate, rather holly-like, deep green leaves. In May and June, the shrub bears dense, rounded clusters of deep blue to violet-blue flowers, 1/2.5cm across. California lilac Emily Brown makes good ground-cover, but it does need a warm, sheltered, frost-free position.

Site: Sheltered; tolerates seaside positions
Soil: Light, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Season of interest: Late spring and early summer in particular
Hardiness: Borderline hardy
Height: 39 (90cm) Spread: 10 (3m)