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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 â€‹

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.

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