What soil conditions does the plant"Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus Repens"prefer and what type of soil do I use.

It is used as a groundcover and has tiny blue flowers.I currently have it is moist soil but the leaves are turning brown at the tips

What soil conditions does the plant"Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus Repens"prefer and what type of soil do I use.
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/225.htm



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Reply:Yes, the browning at the tips is due to overwatering, or standing in water (continually wet soil). According to the Sunset Western Gardening book, these plants desire FULL sun and little to NO (additional) water. California Natives have adapted to this climate of ours. We have cool and wet winters, with dry and warm-hot summers. I worked at a Native Plant nursery for 2 years, and I have to say, our recommendation (which worked) was for buyers of new dry climate plants to water their plants about once a week or so during their first year (known as watering to "establish" the plants, mostly its root system). After that first year, lay off the additional waterings COMPLETELY, particularly for species that are more adapted to the chapparel areas (salvia, fremontadendron, ceanothus, etc). These are plants that are perfectly adapted to survive in this climate! There are some exceptions, and nothing beats good old intuition about knowing when to water a plant. Your plant should ideally have an Eastern or Southern exposure, preferably on a slight hillside to aid in drainage, and should only have been watered additionally for the first year after its planting. Otherwise, you are probably killing it with kindness. P.S. If you have other questions, call Yerba Buena Native Plant Nursery in Woodside, CA. They can talk to you over the phone about your problems with this and any other CA native plant.
Reply:Better to be planted in full sun, in well drained,well manured soil, give a liquid feed early spring to encourage new growth, after flowering lightly trim. Also only half hardy and can be burned by frost,(brown tips on leaves).



Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs