Ceanothus impressus nipomensis

Identification

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Description

Nipomo Mountain Lilac is an eight foot evergreen, that flowers in April-May. The dark blue flowers and small dark green leaves make the plants an attractive hedge. Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis is from Pismo Beach, through Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, to northern Santa Barbara County. In its range it is very drought tolerant. Excellent in beach sand near coast. It seems to be cold hardy to 5 degrees F. The mother bush has become a nice bush here after 5 years with no water. After 15 years the trees have closed in and made significant shade, and Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis still looks good. This plant grows in deep beach sand and can grow to 8' tall and 10' wide, though in sand with a hard pan subsoil they'll reach heights of 3-4 feet and as wide. This form looks a great deal like Ceanothus 'Mountain Haze' but has performed much better here in drought. The only problems we have had are overgrowth if there is too much fertility or water, or late summer thunderstorms in the interior heat. Boy, do they hate wet and hot soil (hot summer temperatures with lavish irrigation). Fragrant, not too sweet pine-rose fragrance. Foliage also gives a sweet 'clean air' fragrance on warm days. The taxonomy has moved back and forth to include with impressus, but the plants do behave differently, and the flower clusters are very different. Click here for more about Mountain Lilacs.