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These Lilac species are good for southern California gardens. However, they are just a place to start. Not all may grow in your garden and many from central and northern 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, especially the southern species. 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 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!
Island Mountain Lilac looks like a Ceanothus on steroids. It has huge leaves and huge flower clusters on a plant that grows to 20 ft. It is really more like a small tree. The flowers are light dusky blue. It is a fast grower, reaching its full size in 5 to 10 years. unfortunately deer love it and it doesn't tolerate cold temps (below around 10F). It is very drought tolerant. So, don't over water it! In most areas just water the first year to get it established. It will grow in clay or decomposed granite!
Owlswood blue Island Mountain Lilac grows fast reaching 6 to 12 ft tall. It has blue flowers and large green leaves. It will grow in clay, decomposed granite or beach sand.. Deer like to eat it. It does well along the coast and doesn't like cold temps.
This Ceanothus makes a nice small tree or open shrub up to 12 ft tall. It is a very tough plant. It grows in full sun in the high temperatures of southern California. It is also cold tolerant and drought tolerant. It likes clay. Deer don't like it much.
This Ceanothus makes a nice small tree or open shrub up to 12 ft tall. It is a very tough plant. It grows in full sun in the high temperatures of southern California. It is also cold tolerant and drought tolerant. It likes clay. Deer don't like it much.
This San Diego Ceanothus is longer lived and can tolerate garden conditions better. It also grows to 15 ft and has the same large flower clusters.
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.
Mountain Buckbrush grows about 6 ft tall. It has small shiny holly like leaves and white flowers. It is very drought tolerant growing native in the Pinyon -juniper woodland. It doesn't like coastal conditions.
White bark mountain lilac grows 8 ft tall. It has light blue flowers and shiny green leaves. It is drought tolerant and cold tolerant. This is the mother plant for our beautiful L.T. Blue Ceanothus hybrid.
To learn more about Ceanothus flowering time check out our
Last edited on 2012-01-28 19:42:17.
