Ceanothus Tuxedo

Ceanothus 'Tuxedo' is a recent horticultural creation. Unique with its shiny robe of evergreen leaves in purple, almost black, creating an astonishing contrast with its sky-blue globular panicles in late spring. It is a tender upright bush whose large proportions are more suitable for planting individually, in the background of flower beds or as an informal hedge. It likes well-drained soils and sunny locations. Resistant to salt spray and drought, it performs perfectly in coastal gardens. It should be reserved for regions with a mild climate or otherwise planted in a sheltered position, trained against a south-facing wall.

Ceanothus are part of the rhamnaceae family, they are cousins of our buckthorn (Frangula alnus) which grow in dry and well-drained environments such as scrub vegetation and once well-rooted, they rely on rainwater. A constantly wet soil and daily or too frequent watering once the plant is established will generally sign its death warrant. Native to North America and Mexico, Ceanothus reaches a height of 2m (6.56 ft) and is hardy down to -10°C (14°F). It has a bushy and spreading habit with characteristic angular branches and alternate, toothed, leathery, glossy green leaves with prominent veins.

The 'Tuxedo' ceanothus is an upright and fast-growing bush that reaches a height of 3 metres (9.84 ft) with a width of 2 metres (6.56 ft). Its generous flowering appears from May, in the form of round clusters of 5-6 cm throughout the summer until July. This delicately scented flowering attracts many pollinating insects including butterflies and bees. It is followed by the formation of seeds which are explosively released. Its foliage is highly decorative, persists in winter and consists of small ovate-oblong, strongly toothed, leaves which are quite small at 2-3cm (0.8-1.2in). Ceanothus can tolerate very light pruning of faded flowers and unwanted branches and flowers on the previous year's wood.

Because the love for blue blooms continues, horticulturists have 'invented' beautiful varieties of ceanothus in recent years, easier to acclimatize and of more modest dimensions, suitable for our gardens and terraces. The 'Tuxedo' California lilac is a beautiful subject to plant in flower beds or as an informal hedge of easy-to-grow bushes: the Buddleia officinalis (pale pink, from February), the Fremontodendron californicum (April-May-June), the scorpion vetches (April), shrubby rockroses (Cistus laurifolius, May), as well as junipers and strawberry trees. With its black foliage, this variety pairs well with golden foliage of the Choisya ternata 'Goldfinger' or the 'Golden Tower' elderberry. Its disordered appearance also suits natural-style gardens where it is associated with the free forms of Spanish brooms, silvery elaeagnus, rosemary and cortaderias, and the spiky silhouettes of yuccas.