Ceanothus - Lilacs (small to large)
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Ceanothus thrysiflorus Common Name: Skylark, Blue Mtn. Lilac
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Med/Low Shrub, 3'h x 4'w
Flowers: April to May
Flower Color: Blue
Likes: Full/Part Sun
Mid sized Ceanothus. Fast growing but stays compact. Dark green foliage with bright blue flowers.
Can be used as a border or hedge. Flowers into late spring. Late for other Ceanothus - provides early summer bloom. Drought tolerant but can take some irrigation. Native to Mendocino County.
Ceanothus maritimus Common Name: Valley Violet Ceanothus Images
Mid Shrub 2'h x 4'w Blue Flower Full/part sun
Adaptable selection of C. maritimus. Flowers early Spring. Very adaptable to different growing conditions. 2-3' mound. Requires little maintenance. An industry favorite.
Winter / Fall
Ceanothus sp Common Name: Joyce Coulter
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Medium Shrub, 3'h x 6'w
Flowers: March to April
Flower Color: Blue
Likes: Full Sun
Lower growing, spreading mountain lilac. Flowers are blue and appear in Spring. Drought tolerant but will tolerate some garden irrigation. Hybrid of Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus and Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus. Especially nice in a rock garden or to bring color and texture to mid-sized elevation within a native garden. Good short hedge plant.
Ceanothus 'Blue Jeans' Common Name: 'Blue Jeans' wild lilac Images
Mid/Large Shrub 6"h x 6'w Purple/Lavender Flowers Full sun ​
Mid/Large Ceanothus hybrid. Very adaptable, tolerant to most soil types and easy to grow. Known for very attractive violet flowers. Flowers late Winter into Spring. Can be pruned to desired shape. Not preferred by deer. Excellent pollinator as are all ceanothus.
Ceanothus sp Common Name: Celestial Blue
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Small plant 5'h x 6'w
Flowers: February - April
Flower Color: Purple
Likes: Full Sun
Larger shrub. Hybrid of concha and another. Nice colored flowers on a medium dense bush. Mid-spring flowering.
Ceanothus "Lite Blue" Common Name: White Bark Mountain Lilac
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Large plant 8'h x 6'w
Flowers: February - April
Flower Color: Purple
Likes: Full Sun
Taller shrub. As name suggests has light blue flowers and the bark is light colored. Interesting Ceanothus. Foliage is not dense - good for a partial screen. Prune lower branches to show unique bark.
Ceanothus concha Common Name: California Mountain Lilac
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Large Shrub, 7'h x 10'w
Flowers: March to April
Flower Color: Blue
Likes: Full Sun
A favorite. Perennial, evergreen shrub. Intense blue flowers cover shrub in Spring. Colorful, deep green leaves offer attractive foliage throughout the year.
Drought tolerant. Great larger shrug for a hedge or as a screening plant. Avoid summer irrigation after established. Needs good drainage. Can prune to shape.
Ceanothus sp Common Name: Ray Hartman
Family: Rhamnaceae
Type: Prune to small tree, 15'h x 8'w
Flowers: March to May
Flower Color: Blue
Likes: Full Sun
Fast growing tall, mountain lilac. Flowers are blue and appear in late winter/Spring. Prune to desired shape - and to encourage height. Can be a nice smaller tree. Drought tolerant but will tolerate some garden irrigation. Frost tolerant. Can get taller depending on conditions. Originally introduced in the 1950s. Adds dimension to garden as a midsized shrub/tree. Deer love it.