Ceanothus may like heat but planting in the middle of summer is never a good idea! All four of the shrubs need watering far more than once a week to enable them to establish their root systems. Put the hose on trickle and leave at the base of the shrub for several hour and repeat with the other three, do this just about daily if it is hot and dry.

Evergreens should ideally be planted in spring, especially if they're bare-rooted specimens. Containerised plants can theoretically be planted at any time of year as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged, but not in the heat of summer.

The soil looks dry and compacted, maybe light forking over with ahand fork, watering then a mulch to conserve moisture would help

Thank you so much! Everything I've read says overwatering is far worse, so just resist the urge! But you all are right.

Also, when I water, it is not draining very fast, kind of pools in the basin and takes 1-2 minutes to soak in. Is that okay or should I pull them out, put them back in containers and wait for Fall?

Thank you!!

Lifting them will only create more problems and stress for the shrubs. Did you dig the soil over well and add organic matter before you planted?

They told me very specifically- do not add organic matter or any soil amendment. Ceanothus hates fertilizer and overwatering. I dug a regular size hole for one gallons but probably could have tilled it a bit better. It was pretty hard underneath. Again, I was told they tolerate the worst soils. I'll just keep watering and hope they make it through the heat, yes?

Like most plants from a Mediterranean climate, Ceanothus is at its most vigorous fall through spring, and it slows down and gets stressed in the summer. If you can keep them alive until October, they might perk up, though it would be better to plant new, healthy plants, if you can.

Benp. 'tolerate' is the operative word in your statement... all plants and shrubs need some assistance to get going. I did not suggest that you should have used fertiliser simply some organic matter in the planting hole as you soil appears to be dry as dust. Perhaps advice on growing these shrubs in the US is different than in the UK where it is normal to a) plant in spring b) add organic matter c) water well.

I so agree Moongrower, looking at the photos I feel really sorry for the plant

Surely the roots need oxygen , air pockets and water to keep them hydrated so they can absorb nutrients, casting my mind back to lessons at horticultural college osmosis comes to mind

All plants need a good start, Ben. The advice you were given applies to established plants only.

You are all right!! And of course I agree. I always dig big holes and fill with compost. I researched these plants a lot and it always said explicitly to not back fill with anything but the native soil. And resist watering. Clearly wrong. Maybe you can get away with that in the rainy seasons. Anyway, lesson learned. I will mourn these sad things and try again. Great dialogue and this community has taught me so much! Looking forward to future advice.

Good luck Ben, you sound as if you have good instincts and just need to listen to them

Some very knowledgable gardeners here who'll always help if they can, keep reading the questions page and you'll get a wealth of good info ☺

In my experience, filling the holes with pure compost is bad for any plant. That is, compost in the American sense: composted forest products and/or plant remains, as opposed to what we call potting soil. On the other hand, not mixing any compost with the soil usually only works well in sharp draining, sandy soil. What I am seeing in the pictures appears to be mostly silt, and that may pack down to tight to allow good root growth, without being mixed with a little organic matter to encourage the earthworms.