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    • Photo of Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' flower by The Watershed Nursery

    Photo by The Watershed Nursery

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'

    Also Known As

    • Ceanothus x pallidus 'Julia Phelps'

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 6'-9'
    • W: 6'-12'

    planting zones

    • 7b-10b

    More Options

    Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' plant details

    Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, seaside / salt tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: rhamnaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 6 FT - 12 FT - wide, 6 FT - 9 FT - tall
    Flowers: blue blooms in spring

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'

    USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat, seaside / salt, verticillium wilt and wind
    Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Similar to 'Dark Star' with deep cobalt-blue flowers in abundant, one inch clusters. Dark foliage. Full sun and well-drained soil.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Dark-green, furrowed and crinkled leaves and very showy flowers of an intense cobalt-blue are produced in short dense clusters by this adaptable 4-8' shrub (although it is drought-tolerant, it can take somewhat more water than others); useful for borders or specimen it is also lightly fragrant and useful for butterfly gardens. S/M/GDr

    By: Forestfarm

    Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' is a large evergreen shrub. It's compact and busy form grows 6' tall and 8' wide. Needs good drainage and is drought tolerant once established. Great for all sorts of wildlife, including deer resistant. Seeds eaten by bushtits, mockingbirds, quail & finches. You will have a spectacular show in early spring when the prolific dark indigo flowers cover the plant. Lovely with Western Redbud, and Flannelbush. Cultivars such as this are horticultural selections and hybrids, not part of the native ecology but work beautifully in the garden. Seeds are eaten by bushtits, mockingbirds, quail and finches. It is also fire adapted, sprouting new growth from root crowns after a fire clears the area of vegetation. A cross between C. papillosus var. roweanus and C. impressus, both native to California's central coast.

    By: The Watershed Nursery

    A densely-branched shrub which develops into a mounded shape 7' tall and 9' across. Small, dark green, heavily wrinkled leaves and numerous dark indigo-blue flowers in 1" rounded clusters covering the plant in mid-spring. Grows in both coastal and inland locations and requires good drainage in all cases. Hardy to 15F.

    By: Native Sons

    Dark cobalt blue short panicles over dark green, dense, small-leaved foliage with a good texture. Very difficult to distinguish from 'Dark Star' unless side by side -- the leaves and blooms both a bit darker in 'Julia Phelps'. She makes an absolutely dazzling display in spring. A wonderful drought tolerant evergreen shrub for attracting butterflies, it's fragrant truly blue flowers and it's long flowering season in spring.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    Gardening facts about Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps' plant

    How to Grow Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • acidic
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • seaside / salt tolerant
      • wind tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • blue

    • Wildlife

      • birds
      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Ceanothus for your garden

    Ceanothus arboreus

    aka Feltleaf Ceanothus, Island Mountain Lilac, Tree Lilac

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    8b-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-30'

    Width: 8'-15'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus arboreus form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus crassifolius

    aka Hoary Leafed Ceanothus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 7'-12'

    Width: 7'-12'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus crassifolius form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus cyaneus

    aka Lakeside Ceanothus, San Diego Buckbrush, San Diego Mountain Lilac

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8b-10b

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 8'-12'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus cyaneus flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus diversifolius

    aka Pinemat

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Groundcover

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 4"-12"

    Width: 36"-72"

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus diversifolius form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ceanothus greggii

    aka Desert Ceanothus

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    5b-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ceanothus greggii form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

    +118 more Ceanothus
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