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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorns) |
| Origin: California (U.S.A.) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Dark Blue |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Ceanothus 'Darkest Blue'] |
| Parentage: (C. foliosus x griseus) |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Ceanothus 'Centennial' (Centennial Ceanothus) – A low-spreading groundcover growing 6 to 12 inches tall by 4 to 8 feet wide. The tiny, dark green leaves have a glossy surface that gives a polished backdrop to the intensely blue, button-like flower clusters in spring. Plants accept considerable shade and are effective groundcovers at the outer edges of a live oak canopy. Also useful spilling down slopes or cascading over the edge of a decorative pot. This selection has proven somewhat problematic and short-lived in some mass plantings in the Santa Barbara area for reasons that are not clear. We recommend planting in well-drained soils rather than heavy or alkaline soils. In central and southern California gardens, plants will need occasional supplemental irrigation, especially when planted away from the coast. Hardy to 15° F. We originally grew this cultivar under the name 'Darkest Blue'. ‘Centennial’ was officially named and introduced in 1992 and was selected from seed collected along the Sonoma County coast by Roger Raiche, horticulturist at UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley at the time. The genus name comes from the Greek word keanthos which was used to describe a type of thistle and meaning a "thorny plant" or "spiny plant" and first used by Linnaeus in 1753 to describe New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Ceanothus 'Centennial'.
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