Choosing ThE BEsT planTing parTnErs

A tall, mature ceanothus planted against a wall can make a magnificent backdrop for showing off lighter flowers in front, especially those which are also tall in stature. Bright, lime-green euphorbias, such as the majestic ‘Wulfenii’ or Euphorbia amygdaloides, bring a splendidly sharp colour contrast to the blue of the ceanothus, and both thrive in dry, warm conditions, in light soil.

Tall ceanothus in full flower add so much colour that subtle planting partners work well in preventing the planting from looking too busy. The bushy variegated evergreen shrub Pittosporum tenuifolium can be planted at the foot of a ceanothus, where its cool, white-edged leaves provide contrast and will also help to hide any bare stems at the bottom of the plant above.

To add another cool contrast, but with flowers rather than leaves, partnering ceanothus with scrambling climber Clematis montana will create an absolute crescendo of flowers in one place to create a special scene, although the leaves of the clematis will hide those of the ceanothus.

For low-maintenance colour in a large space, a mound-forming ceanothus can be paired with the variegated evergreen shrub euonymus ‘Emerald ’n’ Gold’ for a sharp colour contrast in spring that will still work when the ceanothus has finished flowering.