What Are the Problems With the Ceanothus Ray Hartman?

Problems

• The only two problems you might encounter with Ceanothus Ray Hartman is root rot and deer browsing. Although some species of Ceanothus, such as Blue Jeans and Joyce Coulter, can tolerate moist soil, Ray Hartman does not. Deer are especially attracted to Ray Hartman and will munch on new foliage. If not protected while it is young, deer browsing can destroy the Ceanothus Ray Hartman.

Solution

• Grow the Ceanothus Ray Hartman in well-drained soil. Heavy soil can be amended with lots of compost, bark, sand and other materials. When planting, amend the soil, with 3 to 4 inches of the material, to a depth of at least 2 feet, in a 2-foot square area. If your soil is hopelessly heavy or mucky, consider a raised bed for the Ceanothus Ray Hartman. If you have a deer problem, construct a fence around the young shrub to keep the deer from destroying it. When it reaches its full height it can better tolerate browsing.

Prevention

• Avoid Ceanothus root problems by watering the shrub consistently only during its first summer. After that, stop watering completely. The experts at California’s Las Pilitas Nursery have a Ceanothus they’ve grown for 30 years and, aside from watering it soon after planting, they have never watered it. Drip irrigation will contribute to root problems, so don’t grow the Ray Hartman in or near the lawn or other areas that require consistent moisture as is provided by drip irrigation. To permanently control deer browsing, construct a 7-foot tall fence around the area in which Ray Hartman is growing.

Considerations

• Ceanothus is native to California and Ray Hartman thrives when planted in full sun. The only care it requires is an occasional trim to keep it to the size and shape you desire and to keep the older Ray Hartman shrub looking tidy. Prune the Ceanothus after it finishes blooming, but don’t put the chore off for too long. Pruning too close to winter might cause the shrub to produce new growth that can be damaged with the first frost.