Sally Holmes wrote:
Six years ago, I planted a ceanothus. It was supposed to grow 3 - 4'
high and wide.

I have one of those! Like yours, it it is both taller and wider than
the space that should have been taken. Currently at about 6' x 5'.

About this time last year, it had got to about 6' high and wide and
was showing no signs of stopping. It was sprawling onto the lawn and
killing the grass. Any attempt to cut it back was taken as
encouragement to grow another foot or so.

Well, I have removed prunings of all sizes and it continues in good
health. But as you say, it is restored to its previous size with a year
or two!

It was beautiful, but it was a thug. I cut it off six inches above the
ground. I thought it might sprout back but it didn't and I didn't
mind.

Mine isn't so good at flowering but some others I have seen are
solid blue all over - I wish it would take the hint!

The ground where it used to be is still weed-free. I wasn't surprised
to see no weeds when I first cut it, as it was such dry dense shade,
but after a year I expect to see a few opportunists.

Do ceanothuses poison the soil?

I don't know. I would have thought that you would notice something
dying off if that were the case, though.


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