Ceanothus Mills Glory

Identification

Description

Mill's Glory mountain lilac is an evergreen ground cover, 2-3' by 8', denim blue flowers, holly leaves with dark green glossy foliage. Believed to be a hybrid between Ceanothus purpureus and Ceanothus gloriosus. One parent of this species grows on serpentine in the Napa area, the other grows along the coast of northern Calfornia. Give this Ceanothus full sun along coast, part shade in interior heat. Mill's glory likes good drainage, but is very tolerant of clays, as long as it doesn't stand in water it will grow. Ok in alkaline soil, one of the most deer proof plants to date. We've used it as a large scale groundcover in deer areas. They've not eaten it where they ate out the oleanders and buckeyes! (There is not much between those large ears...) One of the more cold tolerant of California's mountain lilacs, no damage at 0F.. I would not choose this one to plant back east as it does not like hot wet soils in the summer. Water it the first year and then little if your rainfall is above 15 inches. This plant has been a problem solver in many areas of the state. Not the prettiest or the lowest, but has lived in spots where all else has failed, and is very beautiful if your choices are salt brush, rocks or junipers. The myth of Ceanothus being short lived is primarily spread by incompetent gardeners that insist on drip irrigation, a summer water program, fertilizing and soil amending. Native plants hate all that stuff. Expect decades of life in most drought resistant gardens. Click here for more about Mountain Lilacs.

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