Plant Library

Other Names:  Variegated Carmel Creeper

Description:

A very dense, low growing groundcover with chartreuse-yellow foliage with splashes of dark green; a prolific bloomer,beautiful indigo blue flower clusters add color in the spring; perfect for border edges and rock gardens

Ornamental Features

Diamond Heights California Lilac is bathed in stunning cymes of indigo star-shaped flowers with blue overtones along the branches from late spring to early summer. It has attractive dark green-variegated chartreuse foliage. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain chartreuse throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Diamond Heights California Lilac is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Diamond Heights California Lilac is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Diamond Heights California Lilac will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.