Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis Yankee Point

The Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis Yankee Point is one of the most commonly planted varieties of ceanothus in mild climates due to its exceptionally long flowering period, as well as its rapid growth and ease of cultivation in ordinary but well-drained soil. The bush forms a fairly imposing ground cover mass and is covered with deliciously fragrant flowers in a very bright blue, for 5 to 6 weeks in spring. Its dense and glossy, dark green, foliage, makes it attractive all year round. It excels on large slopes, associated with yellow, orange, fuchsia pink or red blooms.

The Yankee Point Ceanothus is a cultivar discovered several years ago at Yankee Point, along the Pacific Ocean coast, in Monterey County, California. It comes from the Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis, the Carmel ceanothus, characterized by a very spreading habit and a particularly long flowering period. Ceanothus belong to the Rhamnaceae family, they are cousins of our buckthorn (Frangula alnus) which, once established, rely only on rainwater.

'Yankee Point' is a dense and very wide bush, much wider than it is tall, supported by branches that overlap in successive layers. Its growth is quite fast in reasonably fertile soil where it will reach about 1m (3ft 4in) in height, with a spread of 3m (9ft 10in) at maturity. Its abundant flowers appear in April-May, depending on the climate, at the tips of the previous year's branches and grouped in small, dense and branched panicles. The inflorescences are a very bright medium blue. This remarkably fragrant flowering is very rich in nectar and followed by the formation of seeds which are explosively released. The evergreen foliage is composed of small alternate, ovate, slightly toothed, dark green leaves with a glossy blue hue. Its average lifespan is 15 to 20 years, and it prefers a maritime climate. Note that this variety appreciates slightly compact and reasonably fertile soils. It is hardy down to about -8/-10°C (17.6/14°F) once established, but the foliage can sometimes be slightly burned from -5°C (23°F).

Because of the ongoing love of blue blooms, horticulturists have 'invented' new varieties of ceanothus in recent years that are easier to acclimatize and smaller in size, adapted to our gardens and terraces. Tolerating clay or slightly chalky soils as long as they are loose, the Yankee Point Ceanothus requires space and looks good on a long slope or along a large alley. It is also a beautiful subject to plant in isolation on a terrace, not far from the front door, or against a wall. It can be placed in a mass planting, informal hedge, in an oceanic or Mediterranean garden or even by the seaside. As a companion, one can choose the Californian flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), pink-flowered rockroses (Cistus purpureus), California poppies or the Syringa microphylla Superba, with clusters of small pink flowers that should bloom simultaneously.