Ceanothus spinosus

Identification

Description

Ceanothus spinosus is a very beautiful hillside shrub that grows in seasonally wet heavy clay slopes. It wants north slope conditions that stay relatively cool, yet Ceanothus spinosus does not like deep and hard frosts. In the conventional garden it is very susceptible to pathogens, frost disfiguring, wind damage, and all root rots. In a native garden, with NO drip, NO soil amending, NO summer watering the plants will tolerate all sorts of problems and survive, if not thrive for decades. In beach sand they get a little yellow, but the flowers are still good, in heavy adobe or near sodic soils the plants are spectacular. Filling canyons with fragrance and blue. If you have a back ground spot that is a cool slope in a USDA 8 -10, (Sunset 14-23) with no summer water, and good drainage, but heavy soil, this plant is for you! McMinn The evergreen shining foliage and arborescens habit of growth make this species desirable for planting in large estates where a mass effect is desired. Click here for more about California Lilacs (Ceanothus). Why do the roots of some of the Ceanothus look funny?