Collection: Ceanothus - California Lilac

Ceanothus, commonly called California lilac, covers a wonderfully varied group of shrubs and small trees. Dense clusters of blue, violet, white, or occasionally pink flowers create a spectacular spring display, while many varieties provide handsome evergreen foliage and year-round structure. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators readily visit the nectar-rich blooms.

Choose California lilac plants by mature height, width, growth habit, and garden setting. Compact or spreading selections can dress slopes and low borders, while larger upright forms make striking screens, background shrubs, or small specimen trees. Most Ceanothus prefer sun and well-drained soil, but hardiness, coastal tolerance, and summer-water needs vary considerably. California native species generally need regular water while establishing and careful irrigation thereafter; check each product page for variety-specific guidance.

Use Ceanothus in native plantings, habitat gardens, water-wise landscapes, and mixed shrub borders where its flower power and fine foliage can truly show off.

Explore more: Browse shrubs and trees, shop California native plants, or explore plants by type.