Ceanothus maritimus
| Ceanothus maritimus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ceanothus maritimus (common name: maritime ceanothus)
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[1][2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°c[1]. Another 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[3]. It then requires a period of chilling below 5°c for up to 84 days before it will germinate[3]. 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[3]. 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[3]. 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[2], July/August in a frame[4].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 7 - 12 cm with a heel, October in a cold frame[5]. The roots are quite brittle and it is best to pot up the callused cuttings in spring, just before the roots break[5]. Good percentage.
Cultivation: Prefers a warm sunny position but tolerates light shade[4][2]. Tolerates some lime, but will not succeed on shallow chalk[2]. Requires a well-drained soil.
This species is hardy to about -5°c and so succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[6].
Plants dislike root disturbance, they should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[7].
Dislikes heavy pruning, it is best not to cut out any wood thicker than a pencil[7]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[8].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
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[2][9].
Range: South-western N. America - California.
Habitat: Coastal bluffs[6].
Usage: A green dye is obtained from the flowers[10].
A god ground cover plant for maritime conditions[6].
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[10][11]. 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].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Matthews, Victoria. The New Plantsman Volume 1. Royal Horticultural Society, 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.