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Ask a Gardening QuestionGardening Questions & Answers: Plant ProblemsCeanothus shrub is brown & losing …

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Ceanothus shrub is brown & losing leaves. Is it a lost cause?

#1 · 31st January 2023, 10:58 am

Hi, I planted a Ceanothus Dark Star last year but it didn't like the spot so I put it in a pot temporarily, cut to 10 months later (!!) and that hard frost, and it seems to be very unhappy. Is it a lost cause even tough there's still some green there, or should I persevere? Also when should I prune it? My soil is clay so I was intending to plant it out again this year in a better spot hopefully. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks. Niki

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#2 · 1st February 2023, 3:15 pm

Hi Nikik a strong possibility of frost damage, but saying that, thankfully my one is ok, after some very hard frosts, mine being west facing in soil with “good drainage” which the Ceanothus prefer, also they want to be in a sunny position.

Scrape just a little bark from some of the branches, you can do this with your thumbnail, you only want to see if the fibres below the bark is green, if they are green it still has life, if the majority are brown brittle wood it’s probably on its way out, also check the compost in your pot, Ceanothus do not like damp soggy roots, so if the compost is really wet take it out and mix in a load of horticultural grit, or put in some fresh with a lot of crocks at the bottom of your pot to assist in good drainage, then put it in the sunniest part of the garden, if you have a sunny spot with little wind this would be good, don’t think about pruning at this time, as the plant is already stressed, have patience, give your plant a bit of time.

Bob

#3 · 2nd February 2023, 8:45 am

Hi @nikik

Bobs advice is correct. The main issue here looks like some frost and exposure damage to your Ceanothus. Ceanothus prefer really well-drained soil along with sun. They are classed really as a short-lived perennial shrub, especially in colder areas.

In a warm position with free-draining soil you should get 10-15 years out of a shrub. Ideally, it does need to go in the ground as it will quickly run out of nutrients in a pot.

Conditions for Ceanothus to thrive: