Uli, I live and garden in the easternmost edge of Los Angeles County, South of the San Gabriel Mountains and at the northernmost tip of the Santa Ana Mountain range. Our community is surrounded by chaparral, and the soil is largely clay and plutonic (coarse-grained igneous) rock. Within the area that I typically hike, there are about a dozen different kind of Ceanothus growing naturally. I’ve personally grown only a few, mostly cultivars: C. arboreus, C. thyrsiflorus var. griseus ’Yankee Point’, C. ‘Ray Hartman’, C. ‘Concha’, and the beautiful pink C. xpallidus ‘Marie Simon.’ Last week I took about 30 cuttings of ‘Yankee Point’ and also planted about 100 seeds of C. arboreus. Like you, I love these plants. The guidance of previous posts mentioned potential factors of climate, soil, and the ability of some Ceanothus to nitrify soil through symbiosis with fungi (genus Frankia). In addition, you may want to consider insect and fungal threats. California Ceanothus can be affected by aphids, whitefly, scale, borers, stem gall moth, etc., but this usually occurs on larger plants, and some of these insects are regional. Fungi also can harm Ceanothus, but this usually happens when watering is not well managed. Overwatering in summer is a major cause. In mature plants there can be dieback of smaller branches and overall disfiguration. Any of these might contribute to your situation where “Purchased plants do not grow.” If a purchased plant has either insect or fungal infection, that could be the issue. You also mentioned “Cuttings root but do not progress afterwards.” Ceanothus cuttings are not automatically easy. Here’s the advice of David Fross and Dieter Wilken (Ceanothus, Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2006; p. 30): All Ceanothus species and cultivars can be propagated from cuttings, but some are very difficult. Cutting success depends on timing; semihardwood cuttings from new seasonal growth following flowering typically yield the heist rooting percentages. However, many species and cultivars can be propagated successfully most of the year, though they may take significantly longer to root, and rooting percentages are typically much lower. Softwood and hardwood cuttings may also yield satisfactory results. Softwood cuttings are quicker to root, more susceptible to fungal pathogens, and typically require a mist system to complete the rooting process. Hardwood cuttings are harvested in the least desirable season, are commonly slower to root, and yield lower rooting percentages. All cuttings should be collected from vigorous, healthy plants free of insect pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies. Tip cuttings typically produce roots faster and yield the highest rooting percentages. They produce greater uniformity and can be grown on to a larger container sooner. Any cutting with an axillary bud . . . can be used as well, producing equally successful results. Cuttings are best collected in the morning when humidity is higher and temperature is lower, and processed while fresh. If storage is necessary, place the cuttings in a moist plastic bag and refrigerate. Fresh cuttings produce the greatest yield. I just took a look on the iNaturalist site and saw that there were a couple of recorded observations of Ceanothus in Portugal, one from April 3 of this year. Also, I see that Dieter Wilken, one of the authors of the book mentioned above, is one of the iNaturalist contributors. You might be able to contact him directly at the iNaturalist site (inaturalist.org) with your issue. I’m not sure any of this will help, but it would be great to see more Ceanothus growing in Portugal. These are such beautiful plants, with dark, glossy leaves and blue, white, and pink flowers, covering huge areas or growing to the height of small trees. They require so little and give so much. George Goldsmith Diamond Bar, CA off topic: Ceanothus Johannes Ulrich Urban via pbs (Sun, 17 May 2020 14:47:13 PDT) Dear All, Please excuse me asking an off-topic question. But as many of you live and garden in California, you may be able to help. I love Ceanothus and I thought that they would grow away in my new portuguse garden. They don't. Purchased plants do not grow , at least not well or even die. Cuttings root but do not progress afterwards. <snip> It may be better to reply privately as this is off topic, thank you again Uli _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net<mailto:pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…/<http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…> _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…