Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Ceanothus divergens, commonly known as Calistoga ceanothus, is a rare evergreen shrub in the Rhamnaceae family. It is found in just a few locations in the Northern California Coast Ranges of California at altitudes of less than 500 meters. This plant has a growth habit described as ascending to erect and may attain a height of 3 ft. The plant's preferred habitat is on shrub-covered, rocky, volcanic slopes. The hermaphrodite blue or purple flowers bloom in April and May. The sub-globose fruits are five to six millimeters in diameter. This plant is rarely seen in cultivation and not often available for sale.

Ceanothus diversifolius is a species of flowering shrub known by the common name pinemat. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where it can be found in the oak and pine forests of several mountain ranges. This is a sprawling shrub growing flat across the ground in mats rarely exceeding 30 centimeters in height. Its younger branches are hairy, turning from yellow-green to reddish. The round to oval evergreen leaves are up to 5 centimeters long and have finely serrated edges with a fringe of sparse glandular hairs. This is a sprawling shrub growing flat across the ground in mats rarely exceeding 30 centimeters in height. Its younger branches are hairy, turning from yellow-green to reddish. The round to oval evergreen leaves are up to 5 centimeters long and have finely serrated edges with a fringe of sparse glandular hairs. The short inflorescences bear bunches of flowers which may be blue to almost white. The fruit is a smooth rounded capsule a few millimeters wide.

Ceanothus ferrisiae (sometimes spelled ferrisae) is a rare species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. Its common name is coyote ceanothus. Ceanothus ferrisiae is endemic to Santa Clara County, California, where it is known from only four or five occurrences near Mt. Hamilton in the Diablo Range. The largest population, located near Anderson Dam, is recovering from a 1992 wildfire that killed 95% of the plants. It is a member of the serpentine soils endemic flora and it occurs in chaparral. It is a federally listed endangered species. There are about 6000 individuals remaining in five occurrences. The plant is threatened by loss and degradation of its habitat, which is being cleared for construction and used for dumping. The species also seems to have low recruitment.

Ceanothus foliosus is a species of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common name Wavyleaf Ceanothus. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where its distribution extends throughout the Coast Ranges and the northern end of the Peninsular Ranges. This shrub appears in a variety of forms throughout its range. It may be tall and erect but is generally under two meters in height; it may also be low-lying and sprawling. There are three recognized varieties; var. vineatus (Vine Hill Ceanothus) is a rare form. The species generally has sparse, small evergreen leaves only one to two centimeters in length and toothed along the edges with hairy knobs. The petite flower clusters are borne on naked stalks and are bunched with blue or lavender flowers with prominent yellow anthers. The fruit is a capsule about 4 millimeters long containing usually 3 seeds. It is an excellent butterfly plant.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Nevin smith in 1976 from Mount Hood in sonoma Co., and introduced by Leonard Coates Nurseries in 1978.

Wavy Leaved Ceanothus (Ceanothus foliosus var. foliosus) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry slopes, at elevations from 0-4900 feet.

Ceanothus fresnensis is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name Fresno mat. It is endemic to California, where it grows in central sections of the Sierra Nevada and its foothills. Its habitat includes dry woodland and coniferous forest. This is a flat, spreading shrub forming mats approaching 6 meters in maximum width. The stems are reddish brown and send down roots at nodes. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and generally under 2 centimeters long. They are oval and have smooth edges but sometimes have a few teeth or notches at the tips. The inflorescence is a small cluster of pale to bright blue flowers. The fruit is a horned capsule about half a centimeter long. This is a flat, spreading shrub forming mats approaching 6 meters in maximum width. The stems are reddish brown and send down roots at nodes. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and generally under 2 centimeters long. They are oval and have smooth edges but sometimes have a few teeth or notches at the tips. The inflorescence is a small cluster of pale to bright blue flowers. The fruit is a horned capsule about half a centimeter long.

Point Reyes ceanothus is a low-growing, evergreen shrub that serves as a beautiful groundcover year-round. It features shiny, leathery green leaves and profuse bright blue flowers that emit a delightful fragrance. Endemic to California, this hardy plant thrives along the coastline of the San Francisco Bay Area and in coastal regions both north and south. It is commonly found on seaside bluffs and slopes of coastal mountains, where it endures harsh winds and salty air.

Beloved by birds and bees, Point Reyes ceanothus is an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly landscaping. The plant quickly forms a dense mat, with its stems rooting wherever they touch the ground, making it highly effective at controlling erosion on steep slopes. For gardeners, this ceanothus is a low-maintenance option, requiring little care beyond an occasional shearing after its bloom period to maintain height and shape. Its drought tolerance and soil-stabilizing properties make it ideal for coastal and hillside gardens.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus gloriosus. 'Heart's Desire' is desirable, dense groundcover 6"-12" high and spreading as much as 5' across. the dark green leaves are attractive and it grows fast. Blooms are blue and darker than other Ceanothus gloriosus cultivars. It is an excellent choice for coastal gardens, but needs some partial shade and a little extra water inland.

Horticultural selection C. foliosus x C. greseus: origin = cuttings (1993) north coast Bodega Bay; intro Cal Flora Nursery 1995 Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by phil Van soelen from a Heart's Desire Beach in Marin County.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Glory Brush (Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus) is a rare native shrub that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast, the North Coast Range and SF Bay regions. It tends to grow in sandy places, at elevations from 0-1600 feet.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Point Reyes Ceanothus (Ceanothus gloriosus var. gloriosus) is a rare native shrub that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It tends to grow in sandy places, at elevations from 0-1600 feet.

Mt. Vision Ceanothus is one of three recognized varieties of Ceanothus gloriosus. All three varieties are rare, but var. porrectus is the most rare and has the most limited distribution, being restricted to a handful of sites in the vicinity of Pt. Reyes and Tomales Bay. This is an area that receives significant moisture from summer fog. Mt. Vision Ceanothus tends to grow in sandy places, at elevations from sea level to 1,000 feet. It is low growing, forming a mat or low mound. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and up to 5 centimeters long, rounded to oval in shape. The edges are toothed, the teeth sometimes spine-tipped. The flower cluster is bright blue to purple. The fruit is a horned capsule about 4 millimeters wide. Although this plant is native to the north coast, it has been used in other coastal parts of the state if conditions similar to its native habitat can be maintained.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Known by the common names Mountain Buckbrush or Desert Ceanothus, it is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico where it grows in desert scrub, sagebrush, chaparral, and other dry habitat. This shrub grows erect to nearly 2 meters in maximum height. Its woody parts are gray in color and somewhat woolly. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and variable in shape. They may be toothed or smooth along the edges. The flower cluster is a small cluster of many white flowers. The fruit is a horned capsule a few millimeters wide which bursts explosively to expel the three seeds. The seeds require thermal scarification from wildfire before they can germinate. This shrub is eagerly browsed by livestock and wild ungulates such as Mule deer and Desert Bighorn Sheep. Also known to attract a variety of bird species.

Ceanothus hearstiorum is a species of flowering shrub known by the common names Hearst Ranch Buckbrush and Hearst's Ceanothus. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where it grows wild only on the hilly coastline of San Luis Obispo County. This shrub is generally wider than it is tall and often lies prostrate in a mat on the ground. The younger branches are hairy and somewhat feltlike in texture. The distinctive evergreen leaves are oval to almost rectangular and have a cupped, rippled surface. The edges are toothed with tiny hairy knobs and the shiny surface may be dotted with more knobs. The underside of the leaf is fuzzy to hairy. The flower clusters are borne on short, stout stalks and the tiny flowers are lavender to blue with prominent yellow-anthered blue stamens.

This plant prefers to be near the coast where it would have cooler temperatures and some fog. If planted inland, give afternoon shade and an occasional rinse in the summer. It is a rare plant in the wild due to its extremely limited distribution. However, it is a popular garden plant and is readily available at nurseries.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Ceanothus impressus is a species of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common name Santa Barbara Ceanothus. This species is endemic to a small area of the Central Coast of California, where it can be found on coastal slopes and mesas. It is thickly branched with dark brown twigs and stem. The very small, evergreen leaves are about 2 centimeters long and oval shaped, highly ridged and wrinkled and curling under along the edges. They may be gland-dotted and have grayish hairy undersides. The shrub flowers abundantly in flower clusters of small blue flowers. The fruit is a crested spherical capsule about 4 millimeters wide.

There are two recognized varieties that inhabit essentially the same small range. In addition, several popular cultivars are derived from this species including 'Dark Star' and 'Julia Phelps.' This is a great Ceanothus to grow in its natural range. Significant amounts of summer water will kill this plant. It needs the cool coastal climate and strong marine influence to make it through the hot season, so don't try to grow it south of Ventura County or inland areas. Prefers sun or part shade and sandy soils. Makes a great hedge.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Nevin smith from Burton Mesa in northern santa Barbara Co. in 1982.

Ceanothus impressus var. nipomoensis is a variety of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (buckthorn) family known by the common name Nipomo Mesa Ceanothus. It is one of two recognized varieties of the species C. impressus. This variety is endemic to the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties where it can be found on coastal slopes and mesas. It is thickly branched with dark brown twigs and stem. The evergreen leaves are about 2 centimeters long and oval shaped, highly ridged and wrinkled and curling under along the edges. They may be gland-dotted and have grayish hairy undersides. The shrub flowers abundantly in clusters of small blue flowers. The fruit is a crested spherical capsule about 4 millimeters wide.

This is a great Ceanothus to grow in its natural range. Significant amounts of summer water will kill this plant. It needs the cool coastal climate and strong marine influence to make it through the hot season, so don't try to grow it south of Ventura County or inland areas. Prefers sun or part shade and sandy soils. Makes a great hedge.

Ceanothus incanus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name coast whitethorn. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the San Francisco Bay Area through the North Coast Ranges into the Klamath Mountains. This thorny shrub grows erect to approach a maximum height of 4 meters. The woody parts are gray in color and waxy and somewhat hairy in texture. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged. They are generally oval in shape and usually smooth along the edges, but sometimes minutely toothed. The inflorescence is a panicle-like cluster of white flowers up to about 7 centimeters long. The fruit is a rough, lobed capsule about half a centimeter long containing three seeds. This thorny shrub grows erect to approach a maximum height of 4 meters. The woody parts are gray in color and waxy and somewhat hairy in texture. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged. They are generally oval in shape and usually smooth along the edges, but sometimes minutely toothed. The inflorescence is a panicle-like cluster of white flowers up to about 7 centimeters long. The fruit is a rough, lobed capsule about half a centimeter long containing three seeds.

Deer brush (Ceanothus integerrimus) is a woody shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family native to the western United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Washington. It grows in a wide range of habitats, from chaparral mountain shrub regions to hardwood forests and fir, spruce, and Ponderosa Pine communities, with the most abundance in California's chaparral. The species shows significant variability in form across its range. In some areas, it is a deciduous shrub 1-4 meters tall with an open, ascending to erect branching habit. In others, it is evergreen or semi-deciduous and decumbent. There are two recognized varieties, with overlapping ranges reflecting the species' adaptability.

Deer brush is a drought-adapted shrub that fixes nitrogen through root nodules formed by actinomycete bacteria. It produces fragrant flowers, typically white, though they may occasionally be shades of blue. While it can be tricky to grow in the garden, especially without providing the right conditions, it thrives best in mountain gardens and is particularly suited to growing in the shade of conifers or oaks. The shrub is browsed by wildlife, especially deer.

Ceanothus integerrimus (Deer Brush) is a woody shrub in the family Rhamnaceae, native to the western United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Washington. It grows in chaparral mountain shrub regions, in hardwood forests of the west, and in fir, spruce, and Ponderosa Pine communities, being most abundant in chaparral in California , . It is a deciduous shrub from 1-4 meter tall with an open ascending to erect branch habit . It is a drought-tolerant phanerophyte. Nitrogen fixing actinomycete bacteria form root nodules on Ceanothus roots , .

Deer brush (Ceanothus integerrimus var. macrothyrsus) is a woody shrub in the Rhamnaceae or Buckthorn family. It is one of two varieties of deer brush, an unusual ceanothus that may be deciduous in winter.  The color of the flowers varies from white to blue or even pink. Its natural habitat is mixed conifer forest at 2,000 feet elevation,  primarily in California, including the Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, South Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay and Modoc Plateau.

Deer brush performs best at high elevations and is particularly suited to growing in the shade of conifers or oaks. It is drought-adapted and prefers fast draining soil.  

Deer brush is browsed by wildlife, especially deer, and attracts butterflies, moths and other pollinators.

Ceanothus jepsonii is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common names musk brush and Jepson ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it grows in dry, shrubby habitat in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Coast Ranges to the north, often on serpentine soils. This species of shrub is variable, particularly across its two Varieties: Ceanothus jepsonii var. jepsonii is a spreading plant growing up to about half a meter tall. It bears flower clusters of blue or purple flowers and spherical fruits. var. albiflorus is a white-flowered variety approaching a meter in maximum height. Its fruits are more oblong. Both varieties have firm, toothed evergreen leaves oppositely arranged, curved, and with their edges turned under. The flowers tend to have a musky odor.

Ceanothus lemmonii is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name Lemmon's ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it grows on the wooded slopes of the Inner North Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada foothills to the west and east, respectively, of the Sacramento Valley. This is a spreading shrub approaching a meter in height and slightly more in width. The woody parts are gray when aged and new twigs are green, hairy, and sometimes hairy. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged. Each is oval in shape and dull green, densely hairy on the underside and more thinly hairy on the upper surface, and the edge is lined with tiny hairy teeth. The abundant flower clusters are clusters of pale to bright blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a smooth capsule a few millimeters long.

Chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis) is an evergreen shrub in the Buckthorn family. It’s native to California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal and inland mountain habitat. 

This large shrub has thorns that grow along the stem. Its blue-green leaves are small and oval and contrast nicely with the gray-white, waxy stem. Chaparral whitehorn blooms in spring, with long clusters of tiny flowers in shades of blue, lavender, or white. The small fruit is a sticky, yellow-green capsule small mammals, birds, and insects eat. Mule deer and bighorn sheep browse the new growth and shoots.

This ceanothus is easy to grow if it’s properly sited. It prefers the mountains or interior valleys to the coast. Plant on a slope among other shrubs to protect the roots from direct sun. 

Ceanothus maritimus is a rare, narrow endemic species of shrub in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) known by the common name Maritime Ceanothus. It is endemic to San Luis Obispo County, California, where it is known from only a few occurrences in the vicinity of Hearst Ranch. It shares the same range as the similarly rare Ceanothus hearstiorum, growing on the coastal bluffs.

This species looks unlike other Ceanothus and is said to resemble the non-native Cotoneaster. This is a spreading or ascending shrub under a meter in height with reddish gray bark aging to gray. The firm evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged, each oval or oblong in shape with a pointed, flat, or notched tip. Its short leaves are shiny green on top and woolly underneath, with their edges curled under and sometimes toothed.

The flower cluster is a small cluster of deep blue to off-white flowers. The fruit is a capsule, generally rounded with tiny horns on top. This is an attractive, adaptable, long-lived plant that is great for central coastal gardens.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus maritimus. Frosty Dawn California Lilac, also known as Maritime ceanothus, is a small, evergreen groundcover 2'-3' x 5'-6'. Its low, compact and creeping habit make this an excellent choice for coastal gardens. Like it's parent, Frosty Dawn is slow growing but long lived, try planting Frosty Dawn Ceanothus on hills, mixed in with boulders, or in a border that has plants that also prefer low water. Leaves are greyish green above, nearly white with wool beneath. It produces dense clusters of lavender-blue flowers in spring, even as early as December. Provide additional water and protection from afternoon sun inland.

Horticultural selection C. maritimus; intro David Fross, Native sons Nursery Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected from cuttings collected by Austin Griffiths and David Fross south of Arroyo de la Cruz in 1985.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus maritimus. Point sierra California Lilac is a selection of maritime Ceanothus from just north of Arroyo de la Cruz. It is a small scale groundcover evergreen shrub, growing 1-3'high x 4-6'wide. We love Ceanothus maritimus and chose to grow this Point sierra selection due to it's increased tolerance of inland heat. Nonetheless, we recommend some light shade for hot interior gardens. Lavender blue flowers appear in early spring. This plant will grow in heavy soils and is great wildlife plant for butterflies, pollinators and birds.

Plant as a small-scale groundcover, as an accent in a dry border, or as a highlight in a rock garden. Trails over walls or rocks wonderfully. Maritime ceanothus adapts to many soil types, it will even grow in heavy soils as long as they are well drained. This groundcover ceanothus is slow-growing but long-lived. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected from cuttings collected south of Arroyo de la Cruz by Austin Griffiths and David Fross in 1985.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus maritimus. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. A selection for the garden. Introduced by UC Davis.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus maritimus. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Ceanothus masonii is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, known by the common name Mason's ceanothus. It is endemic to Marin County, California, where it is known only from an area near Bolinas on the Point Reyes National Seashore. It grows in the coastal chaparral on the windblown bluffs. . This rare shrub grows to heights approaching 2 meters. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and less than 2 centimeters long. They are round to oval in shape and have tiny, sharp teeth along the edges, sometimes spine-tipped. The inflorescence is a small cluster of deep blue to purple flowers. The fruit is a capsule just a few millimeters wide, topped with minute horns. This ceanothus is closely related to Ceanothus gloriosus, and may in fact be a variety of that species. This rare shrub grows to heights approaching 2 meters. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and less than 2 centimeters long. They are round to oval in shape and have tiny, sharp teeth along the edges, sometimes spine-tipped. The inflorescence is a small cluster of deep blue to purple flowers. The fruit is a capsule just a few millimeters wide, topped with minute horns. This ceanothus is closely related to Ceanothus gloriosus, and may in fact be a variety of that species.

Ceanothus megacarpus is a species of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common name Bigpod Ceanothus. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where its distribution extends from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County and includes most of the Channel Islands. There are two recognized varieties; var. insularis is a rare form found primarily on the Channel Islands. This shrub may exceed 4 meters in height but usually less and is covered in thick oval to nearly rectangular evergreen leaves. The leaves may be either opposite or alternate, sometimes on the same plant. The flower clusters are small and sparse and are filled with small white to pale lavender flowers with dark centers. The fruit is a large, bumpy, spherical red-green capsule about a centimeter wide. The inside of the capsule is divided into 3 valves, each valve holding a seed. The capsule dehisces neatly in two at the central band to release the seeds. This is a showy plant in early spring.

Ceanothus megacarpus is a species of flowering shrub known by the common name bigpod ceanothus. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where its distribution extends along the Central Coast and includes the Channel Islands. This shrub may exceed 3 meters in height and is covered in thick oval to nearly rectangular evergreen leaves. The flower clusters are small and sparse and are filled with small white to pale lavender flowers with dark centers. The fruit is a bumpy spherical red-green capsule about a centimeter wide. The inside of the capsule is divided into 3 valves, each valve holding a seed. The capsule dehisces neatly in two at the central band to release the seeds.

Ceanothus oliganthus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name hairy ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in most of the coastal mountain ranges in dry habitat such as chaparral. This is a large, erect shrub approaching 3 meters in maximum height. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and may be up to 4 centimeters long. They are dark green on top, paler and hairy on the underside, and are edged with hairy teeth. The flower cluster is a cluster or series of clusters of blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a capsule which may be hairy or not, depending on variety. There are three recognized varieties with overlapping ranges. The variety of this species known as jimbrush (var. sorediatus) is sometimes treated as a separate species.

Plant Ceanothus oliganthus on rocky slopes, particular north facing ones in the southern, drier parts of its range. This plant is fairly sensitive to summer water. Best to avoid all direct summer water after it's first year, though it will be happiest if it can stretch its roots out to a damper or irrigated area 10 feet away or so. This plant likes full sun but tolerates part shade.

Hairy Ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus var. oliganthus) is a native shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family. It is one of three recognized varieties of the species Ceanothus oliganthus. It grows primarily in the coastal hills and mountains of southern and central California, from Santa Barbara County to Los Angeles County and into Baja. It tends to grow in dry slopes, at elevations from 0-4300 feet. This is a large, erect shrub approaching 3 meters in height. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and may be up to 4 centimeters long. They are dark green on top, paler and hairy on the underside, and are edged with hairy teeth. The flower cluster is a series of clusters of blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a capsule which is generally smooth and not hairy.



Plant Ceanothus oliganthus var. oliganthus on rocky slopes, particularly north facing ones in the southern, drier parts of its range. This plant is fairly sensitive to summer water. Best to avoid all direct summer water after it's first year, though it will be happiest if it can stretch its roots out to a damper or irrigated area 10 feet away or so. This plant likes full sun but tolerates part shade. For further information about the species, please refer to Ceanothus Oliganthus.

Jim Brush (Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry slopes, at elevations from 0-3300 feet.

Ceanothus ophiochilus is a rare species of flowering shrub known by the common name Vail Lake ceanothus, native to Southern California. It was not described until 1991. The Ceanothus ophiochilus plant is endemic to California. It is only known from a few sites in the vicinity of Vail Lake and the Black Hills, east of Temecula and west of the Santa Rosa Mountains in southwestern Riverside County. Ceanothus ophiochilus is a plant of the chaparral plant community, and in its small native range which currently is only a few acres, it grows in pyroxenite soil atop an ancient volcano. Its elevation range is 580-1,065 metres (1,903-3,494 ft). One of the three remaining populations of this plant is on private property that may face development in the future. It was listed as a threatened species on the federal level in 1998, and an endangered species by the state of California in 1994. There are up to 9000 individuals remaining, but some of these are hybrids with Ceanothus crassifolius. Ceanothus ophiochilus is an erect shrub reaching a maximum of 2 metres (6. 6 ft) but generally shorter. The young twigs are reddish and grow gray with age. The tiny evergreen leaves grow opposite on the branches and sometimes grow in clusters, and rarely reach a centimeter in length. They are thick, firm, and shiny. The shrub flowers in short inflorescences of pale blue to white to pale pink flowers during February and March. Fire ecology. This species grows only from seed, unlike other Ceanothus, which via an evolved fire ecology usually crown sprout from the lignotuber root crown after being reduced aboveground, such as by natural wildfires. Ceanothus ophiochilus is cultivated by California native plant botanic gardens and plant nurseries, and available as an ornamental plant for: drought tolerant and native plant gardens, and natural landscape habitat gardens and larger landscape projects.

Ceanothus otayensis, the Otay Mountain Buckbrush or Otay Mountain lilac, is a plant species known only from the Otay and San Miguel Mountains of San Diego County, California, and in nearby Baja California, Mexico. It occurs on dry slopes and brushlands at elevations of 600-1100 m. Ceanothus otayensis is a shrub up to 120 cm tall, erect, not rooting at the nodes. Leaves are opposite, evergreen, broadly ovate, up to 15 mm long. Flowers are white to pale blue, borne in a spike of umbels. Fruits are spherical, about 5 mm across.

Palmer Lilac (Ceanothus palmeri) is a native shrub that grows in California, primarily in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Peninsular Range regions. It tends to grow in dry slopes, at elevations from 3000-6000 feet. Form is mostly upright though sometimes more rounded. Flowers are usually white but can be light blue to lavender.

Ceanothus papillosus, Wartleaf ceanothus, is a species of plant in the genus Ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it grows in open habitat on the slopes of the coastal mountain ranges, such as woodland and chaparral. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, often in crowded clusters, each oblong to long-rectangular in shape and covered in glandular bumps. The edges are generally turned under and lined with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is a cluster of bright blue flowers. The fruit is a bumpy capsule about 3 millimeters long. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, often in crowded clusters, each oblong to long-rectangular in shape and covered in glandular bumps. The edges are generally turned under and lined with glandular hairs. The inflorescence is a cluster of bright blue flowers. The fruit is a bumpy capsule about 3 millimeters long.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected by Dara Emery in 1981 from Wheeler Gorge in Ventura County. Introduced by santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Ceanothus parryi is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name Parry ceanothus. It is native to Oregon and northern California, where it grows in the canyons of coastal mountain ranges. It is an erect shrub approaching 5 meters in maximum height. The woody parts are reddish brown and woolly when new, darkening with age and shedding most of the hairs. The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, oval in shape and edged with hairy teeth. They are dark green and hairless on the upper surfaces, paler and woolly on the undersides. The flower cluster is a long cluster of deep blue flowers, up to about 15 centimeters long. The fruit is a smooth, 3-lobed capsule a few millimeters long.

Ceanothus parvifolius is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common name littleleaf ceanothus. It is endemic to the High Sierra Nevada of California, where it grows in moist areas in the forest. This is a spreading shrub, growing to a maximum height of just over a meter, forming a wide bush. The woody parts are reddish in color and hairless. The leaves are alternately arranged and deciduous. They are less than 2 centimeters long, mainly oval in shape and smooth-edged, sometimes with a few tiny teeth near the tip. The plentiful flower clusters are clusters several centimeters long of flowers in shades of very pale to deep blue. The fruit is a 3-lobed smooth capsule a few millimeters long.

Ceanothus pinetorum is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common names Kern ceanothus and Coville ceanothus. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it is known only from the Kern Plateau, a section of the southern Sierra featuring wide meadows and ridges. This is a low-lying shrub forming a bush or mat under a meter tall but up to about 8 meters in spreading width. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and generally under 2 centimeters long, each firm and hairless with a toothed edge. The inflorescence is a small cluster of blue to off-white flowers yielding horned, wrinkled fruits just under a centimeter long. This is a low-lying shrub forming a bush or mat under a meter tall but up to about 8 meters in spreading width. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged and generally under 2 centimeters long, each firm and hairless with a toothed edge. The inflorescence is a small cluster of blue to off-white flowers yielding horned, wrinkled fruits just under a centimeter long.

Ceanothus prostratus is a species of shrub in the Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) known by the common names prostrate ceanothus and mahala mat. It is native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, into northern California and Nevada, where it grows in coniferous forest and open plateau. This is a flat, mat-forming shrub growing 6 inches tall up to about 8 ft. wide. The evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged, oval in shape with several large, sharp teeth along the edges. The upper surface is green and hairless, and the underside is paler in color and feltlike in texture. The flower cluster is a small cluster of deep blue or purple flowers. The fruit is a wrinkled capsule one half to one centimeter long.

Ceanothus prostratus grows in the understory of mixed conifer forests, from foothills to subalpine areas. It also inhabits open flats and ridges in areas of low chaparral as well as dry interior forest ecosystems. It can be found from elevations ranging between 1,000 and 9,000 ft. It is notoriously difficult to grow due to unknown factors.

Large Leaved Mahala Mat (Ceanothus prostratus var. laxus) is a native shrub that grows in central and northern California.

Ceanothus pumilus is a species of shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae known by the common names dwarf ceanothus and Siskiyou mat. It is native to the mountains of southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in habitat such as coniferous forest and chaparral, often on serpentine soils. This is a low-lying to flat shrub taking the form of a mat or bramble up to about 2.5 meters wide. The tiny evergreen leaves are oppositely arranged, each just over a centimeter in maximum length. They are firm and ribbed, flat or cupped, hairless on top and generally hairy and paler in color on the undersides. The flower cluster is a small cluster of flowers in shades of blue, lavender, or white. The fruit is a horned capsule about half a centimeter long.