California Lilac

Don't miss this hot plant! Garden designers love featuring the amazing deep blue flowers on low-maintenance shrubs in designs for their high-end clients. No wonder, California Lilac (Ceanothus gloriosus) is considered one of the best of this diverse family of 60 species.

We sell out of this variety quickly once a new crop is ready for sale. Please order as soon as you see it available on the site.

It's had over 70 very successful years in production!

And these days, the popularity of these stunning, hardy West Coast natives is skyrocketing. They truly are easy care. Water newly installed plants to get their roots established in your soil, but after that? Hands off, they will not need any supplemental water.

People are really waking up to the design potential of xeriscape natives. Keep them dry and lean and they'll perform beautifully for decades for you.

You'll love supporting local butterflies and birds with the nectar from the outstanding deep blue, long-lasting blooms. But of course, you'll also adore the ornamental features of the California Lilac.

In the spring, the plant is covered in reddish-purple buds that will mature to a mass of rich, deep blue flower clusters. The flowers are absolutely stunning from a distance and when studied up close in the garden. Cut a few branches for indoor tablescapes, as well.

There are not many plants that match the intense blue flower display of the Ceanothus in the spring. The intense spring display of light blue flower power is almost unmatched in nature.

As well, California Lilac is a valuable habitat plant providing food of butterflies and critical beneficial insects that help pollinate our food crops. Mockingbirds, finches, and quail love California Lilac for both the cover it provides and the seeds it produces. Deer, on the other hand, seem to find it pretty unappetizing, especially when it's grown in a waterwise manner.

With beauty, low maintenance and adaptability, California Lilac is the perfect choice for many landscape applications. Order yours now before the garden designers place their large commercial orders and you miss your chance.

How to Use California Lilac in the Landscape

Use the California Lilac as an excellent focal point in the landscape to capture the eye for up to 4 weeks in the spring. When used as a specimen, it can be pruned to maintain any size you desire.

This is an excellent selection for a natural low screen to block out unwanted views. You'll love the soft screening that provides a welcome feeling of protection.

California Mountain Lilacs make "friendly fences" running along the property line in your front yard to give a bit of separation from your neighbor. Or plant several in a curved line to surround a cozy outdoor seating area.

For a solid screen, plant them 3 feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

With its wide-spreading nature, California Lilac naturalizes very well. They are especially striking when planted in mass plantings in home or commercial settings. Use it as a bird-friendly, waterwise fill plant to cover an open area. For quick fill, plant the California Lilac 5 to 6 feet on center and let it fill in together naturally.

This native plant is also recommended for use as part of the defensible space near homes and structures. We recommend calling your state forestry agencies and local fire protection district to request a region-specific property assessment. They can assess your property and support your development of a firewise landscape plan. California Lilac can be an important plant to help protect your property from the ravages of wildfire.

#ProPlantTips for Care

This California native can be easily grown in most of the populated areas from San Francisco to San Diego.

Give these sun-lovers at least 6 hours of direct light a day. Though tolerant of some shade this will greatly affect the flowering and density of the plant.

Ceanothus are very low maintenance once established and they don't need—or especially like— coddling or fussing. In fact, too much water and too-rich soil is a sure-fire way to kill them.

They'll do their best in lean soils that have perfect drainage. If your soil holds water, you'll need to use raised beds or plan to mound up. Add additional soil in a mound 18 - 24 inches high, and plant directly in the mound. Adapted to a wide range of different types of soil, this is a plant that does better in poor soils as long as the drainage is good.

Prune right after blooming to remove spent flowers and to keep your plant looking even and full.

Give young plants low amounts of regular water during their first season only. This will help their roots establish in your soil. However, they truly thrive on low water. They require no summer water once established and are perfect for the drought tolerant landscapes.

Know that you're in good company when you order your California Mountain Lilac from our expert growers. Snap yours up today!