California Lilacs (Ceanothus spp.)
California Lilacs, or Ceanothus, are some of our most fragrant and colorful shrubs here in California. They are also evergreen and very drought tolerant.
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 are notorious for being loved by deer. However, this is not entirely true. Without water or fertilizing 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!
For more information on deer problems see the Deer Page.
Southern California Mountain Lilacs
Central California Mountain Lilacs
Northern California Mountain Lilacs
Ceanothus Hybrids
Ceanothus Blue Jeans, Holly Leaf Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Blue Jeans has small holly leaves and blueish purple flowers. It is a rounded shrub with arching branches. It grows about 6 ft tall. Blue Jeans likes full sun. Deer don't like it much.
Ceanothus
Celestial Blue Description/Order
Celestial Blue is a gorgeous Ceanothus. This large bush is loaded down with huge deep blue fragrant flower clusters in spring. The buds are reddish. It has a very long flowering season. It seems to only stop flowering in the coldest part of winter.
Ceanothus
Concha, California Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Concha grows about 4 ft tall and has blue flowers. It tolerates alkali soil and drought conditions.
Ceanothus
Dark Star, Small Leaf Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Dark star is a showy Ceanothus that prefers coastal climates to interior areas. It has tiny leaves and round flower clusters. Dark star grows 6 ft tall and eight ft wide.
Ceanothus
Frosty Blue, Description/Order
Frost blue has deep blue flowers that wade with age. It has shiny bright green foliage. It grows fast to about 6ft tall and is very drought tolerant.
Ceanothus
Julia Phelps, Small Leaf Mountain Lilac Description/
Order
Julia Phelps grows 6 to 8 ft tall. It has tiny crinkly dark green leaves and blue flowers. It will survive without water on inly 9 inches of rainfall.
Ceanothus
Joyce Coulter, Creeping Mountain Lilac Description/Order
This floriferous Ceanothus grows to only about 2 ft high but about 8 ft wide. It is OK in mild deer areas. It grows well in hot areas and is drought tolerant.
Ceanothus
L.T. Blue, White Bark Mountain Lilac Description/Order
L.T. Blue is a hybrid between C. leucodermis (L.) and C. thyrsiflorus (T.). It has white bark, smooth shiny green leaves, and blue flowers. L.T. Blue is very drought tolerant. It grows about 6 to 8 ft tall.
Ceanothus
Mills Glory, Holly Leaved California Mountain Lilac Description/
Order
Mills glory is a low sprawling Ceanothus reaching only 2 to 4 ft tall. It has small crinkly holy leaves and blue puffball flowers. It likes full sun on the coast and a little shade in the interior. It is believed to be a hybrid between Ceanothus purpureus and Ceanothus gloriosus. Deer don't like it much.
Ceanothus
Mountain Haze Description/Order
Mountain haze is an erect shrub that grows about 6 to 8 ft tall. It looks similar to Frosty blue but needs a little more water. It grows fast but doesn't like clay. It does well in sand.
Ceanothus Remote Blue, Bush Lilac Description/Order
Remote blue grows 4 to 6 ft tall. It has very shiny foliage and light blue flowers. It makes an excellent lush looking hedge without water. However, it can also tolerate a little water.
Ceanothus
Ray Hartman, Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Ray Hartman has huge shiny leaves and large blue flowers. It is a really tall Ceanothus growing about 20 ft tall with very strait erect flowers. Ray Hartman is a hybrid of Ceanothus arboreus and Ceanothus griseus. Deer like it. So, don't plant it in high deer areas without a fence.
Ceanothus
Rubins Blue Description/Order
Rubins blue grows 8 ft tall with slightly drooping branches. It has bright green leaves and blue flowers. It is named for our pal Greg Rubin from California's Own Landscape in Escondido, who selected it.
Ceanothus
Tassajara Blue, Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Tassajara Blue has dark green leaves and blue flowers. It grows to around 8 ft tall. It is probably a hybrid between Ceanothus arboreus and Ceanothus griseus. It grows fast and is fairly garden tolerant as well as drought tolerant. It doesn't mind being pruned, if you want a more formal hedge.
Ceanothus
Wheeler Canyon, Blue Mountain Lilac Description/Order
Wheeler Canyon is a sprawling shrub 6 ft tall but 8 to 10 ft wide. It has small crinkly leaves and small abundant blue flower clusters. It likes full sun.
