Western Ornamental: Ceaonothus Tuxedo
14 Apr, 2009 By: Landscape Management Staff Get Growing
Ceanothus ‘Tuxedo’ makes its debut this spring. Tuxedo is a new black-leaved, blue-flowered ceanothus, also known as California lilac. It has powder-blue flowers set against deep purple/black foliage. Tuxedo is the first black-foliaged ceanothus, according to Anthony Tesselaar Plants. Ceanothus are native to California and Oregon, however this variety occurred as a spontaneous natural hybrid at FitzGerald Nurseries Ltd. in Kilkenny, Ireland. In 2008, FitzGerald’s Tuxedo ceanothus was honored with a bronze award at Plantarium, the international nursery plant exhibition.
Ceanothus are valued for their long bloom season, drought-tolerance and ability to thrive in rugged, exposed terrain. Equally at home in both the garden bed and landscape, they are particularly suited to steep, wind-swept slopes and coastal plantings with full sun and well-drained soil. They do well in a variety of soil types, but prefer dry conditions, so avoid over-watering and planting where conditions are likely to be overly humid.
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