blue mountain lilac
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark'
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Hardiness Zone:
7 - 10
Flowers:
Blue Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Care Level:
Moderate
watering
Blue Mountain Lilac should be watered deeply and regularly. In the growing season (spring and summer), water the plants once a week, applying water until it reaches a depth of 18 inches. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering. Provide less water in autumn and winter, especially if temperatures drop below freezing. To check when it is time to water, insert a 6-inch-long stick into the soil and if dry, water the plant.
sunlight
Blue mountain lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark') needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight a day in order to thrive. However, the plant should be shielded from hottest part of the the day to prevent leaf burn. So, when possible, it is best to provide the plant with dappled sun throughout the day or to provide partial shelter, such as a light shade cloth. Generally, the best times of day for sunlight are early morning and late afternoon.
pruning
Blue Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark') should be lightly pruned in late winter or early spring. Removing dead or damaged branches and thinning out congested growth helps to ensure healthy, beautiful blooms. To maintain size and shape, judiciously prune back the longest stems to a strong lateral branch. Make sure to sanitize pruning tools between each cut to avoid the spread of disease. The plant may also benefit from supplemental pruning before flowering to encourage more blooms.