Ceanothus Victoria

Ceanothus Victoria (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Victoria’) is a fast-growing, evergreen Californian lilac prized for its dense, glossy green foliage and abundant clusters of rich blue flowers in late spring to early summer. Suited to Irish gardens in a sunny, sheltered spot, it makes a fine free-standing shrub or can be trained against a warm wall, maturing to around 2–3m in time. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil and avoid waterlogging; once established it copes with normal summer dryness. Lightly trim immediately after flowering to maintain shape, avoiding cuts into old wood, as evergreen ceanothus resent hard pruning. The nectar-rich blooms are attractive to pollinators.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun; warm, sheltered site

Rate of Growth: Fast-growing

Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging

Hardiness: Hardy in Ireland in a sheltered, sunny position; protect from cold, drying winds

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Plant at a Glance