Practical
Plants

Ceanothus divergens

Cropleaf Ceanothus

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Material uses

A green dye is obtained from the flowers[3]. All parts of the plant are rich in saponins - when crushed and mixed with water they produce a good lather which is an effective and gentle soap[3][4]. This soap is very good at removing dirt, though it does not remove oils very well. This means that when used on the skin it will not remove the natural body oils, but nor will it remove engine oil etc[K] The flowers are a very good source, when used as a body soap they leave behind a pleasant perfume on the skin[K]. The developing seed cases are also a very good source of saponins[K]. A useful ground cover plant, especially on warm sunny slopes[7].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Soap

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
A very rare plant in the wild where it grows in serpentine volcanic substrates in Chapparal plant communities at elevations of 900 - 1800 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 12 hours in warm water and then given 1 - 3 months stratification at 1°c[2][6]. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 2 months at 20°c[2]. One report says that the seed is best given boiling water treatment, or heated in 4 times its volume of sand at 90 - 120°c for 4 - 5 minutes and then soaked in warm water for 12 hours before sowing it[9]. The seed exhibits considerable longevity, when stored for 15 years in an air-tight dry container at 1 - 5°c it has shown little deterioration in viability[9]. The seed is ejected from its capsule with some force when fully ripe, timing the collection of seed can be difficult because unless collected just prior to dehiscence the seed is difficult to extract and rarely germinates satisfactorily[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken at a node[6], July/August in a frame[1]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 7 - 12 cm with a heel, October in a cold frame[12]. The roots are quite brittle and it is best to pot up the callused cuttings in spring, just before the roots break[12]. Good percentage.

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained soil and prefers a warm sunny position but tolerates light shade[1][6]. Tolerates some lime, but will not succeed on shallow chalk[6]. A difficult plant to cultivate, it might do well in a lime-free soil in full sun and occasionally does well on heavier soils[7]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[6]. This species is closely related to C. purpureus[1]. Plants dislike root disturbance, they should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[5]. Dislikes heavy pruning, it is best not to cut out any wood thicker than a pencil[5]. Plants flower on the previous year's growth, if any pruning is necessary it is best done immediately after the plant has finished flowering[6][10]. Constant pruning to keep a plant small can shorten its life[6]. Fast growing, it flowers well when young[1]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[6]. Some members of this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[6][8].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  8. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  9. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  11. Flora of California www.calflora.org

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  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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