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These Lilac species are good for Northern California gardens. However, they are just a place to start. Not all may grow in your garden and many from southern and central California may grow just fine as well. Make sure you have the correct soil type for the Ceanothus you like. Of course, it is always better to plant your local Lilacs, if possible.
California Lilacs, or Ceanothus, are some of our most fragrant and colorful shrubs here in California. They are also evergreen and very drought tolerant. They make excellent hedges!
The
myth of Ceanothus being short lived is primarily spread by
incompetent gardeners that insist on drip
irrigation, summer water and soil amendments. California
native plants hate all three. Expect a 20-25 year life from your
Ceanothus in most gardens. Ceanothus sp. from
central and southern California may die early from the high
humidity and rainfall.
Ceanothus are notorious for being loved by deer. However, this is not entirely true. Without water or fertilizer a Ceanothus looks much less appetizing to a deer. Some species are still viewed as candy in areas where deer populations are high. But many are OK in low or medium deer areas. If you have high deer problems stick with your local Ceanothus species and whatever you do, don't water!
Buckbrush is native around our Santa Margarita nursery. It is very drought tolerant, growing in full sun, in our 115 degree summers. It has blue or white flowers and tiny shiny dark green leaves. It is very cold tolerant. It will grow in sand or clay. Deer don't like it much to eat but they like to hide in it to sleep. It grows 3 to 6 ft tall.
Wavy leaf mountain Lilac has lots of small blue flowers and tiny bright green crinkly leaves. It will grow in clay or serpentine. Wavy leaf mountain Lilac likes shade in the interior and full sun along the coast. It grows about 4 ft tall.
This is the same as buck brush but Blue!
This low growing Ceanothus grows 1 to 2 ft tall. It is native to the coast of northern California yet it tolerates the dry arid climates of the interior. It likes a little shade in the interior and full sun along the coast. It likes sandy soil but will also tolerate clay. Deer don't eat it much.
Emily brown is at home on the coast. If grown inland, it needs a little shade. It is fairly deer proof. It has dark blue flowers. It grows about a few ft tall. Emily brown will grow in sand or clay.
Holly Ceanothus likes to be near the coast. It doesn't do well in the interior. It reaches only a foot tall. It likes sand and sun.
This beautiful Ceanothus grows 1 to 3 ft tall. It likes sand and full sun along the coast. It needs a little shade inland. Deer don't like it much. It has very neat holly leaves and blue leaves. This Ceanothus is federally listed as a species of concern. It is only found in Marin county.
Carmel Ceanothus is a small tree or large shrub, growing 3 to 6 ft tall. It likes full sun. It will grow in sand or clay. It has light blue flowers.
Louis Edmunds Carmel Mountain Lilac grows 3 to 6 ft tall. Deer love it. It likes temperatures above 20 deg F. It grows well along the coast. It does well in sand as well as clay and it has blue flowers.
Musk bush is another low growing Ceanothus. It is 2 to 3 ft tall and equally wide. It likes full sun on the coast and a little shade inland. It grows in clay and serpentine soils. It has blue flowers.
Hollyleaf Ceanothus has blue flowers and holly leaves. It grows 3 to 6 ft tall and will grow in clay or serpentine. Deer don't like it much.
This Ceanothus grows 3 to 9 ft tall. It grows in full sun on the eastern side of the sierras. It is very cold tolerant and drought tolerant.
Snowball is a low growing mountain Lilac reaching only 2 or 3 ft tall. It has white flowers and small holly leaves. It likes a little shade in the interior. We have it growing along the drip line of a Coast Live Oak. Deer don't like it much.
Pine Hill Ceanothus is listed as Rare by the State, and Federally endangered. It grows only a few inches tall. It has fat little leaves tightly packed together and white flowers. It is a very odd looking Ceanothus.
It is happiest in northern California. However, its range does go into central California. It likes part sun or full sun. It has blue flowers.
Skylark has dark green shiny leaves and blue flowers. It grows from 3 to 6 ft tall. It will grow in clay and can tolerate deer browsing.
Snow flurry grows 3 to 9 ft tall. It has huge white flower clusters and large juicy green leaves. It will grow in clay. It doesn't like cold temps. It would prefer temperatures above 20 deg F.
Low Blue blossom is great for sandy or clay areas from San Luis Obispo towards the ocean. They have small shiny green leaves and bright blue flowers and are a great ground cover Ceanothus, about 2-3 feet high.
Woolly Leaf Mountain Lilac grows 3 to 6 ft tall. It likes clay soil. It grows well in full sun along the coast and part shade inland. It is very drought tolerant.
Southern
California Mountain Lilacs
To learn more about Ceanothus flowering time check out our table of the flowering times for Ceanothus.
