California Native Seeds and Plants 15 
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CALIFORNIA LILAC 
The Ceanothi or California Lilacs are among the most prized 
of our native shrubs, having beautiful fragrant flowers and 
attractive evergreen foliage. The genus contains many differ- 
ent habits of growth, types of foliage and color of flowers. 
Some are tall shrubs, others of medium height, while others 
again are comparatively dwarf and still others mere ground 
covers. The colors range from white to pale blue, light blue, 
lavender, bright blue, deep blue and very dark blue, The 
flowering season is from December to June and they can be 
used effectively in a great variety of ways. A little pruning 
when young is generally beneficial and helps to build up more 
shapely plants. Summer watering in general is unnecessary 
and undesirable after the plants have once become well es- 
tablished. 
Ceanothus arboreus. “Island Lilac.’ Large shrub or small 
tree 12 to 25 feet high. Leaves large, broadly ovate, generally 
2 to 3 inches long, dull green, white tomentose on the under 
side. Flowers in large spikes, lavender blue and very fragrant. 
Flowering period February to April. From the islands off the 
coast of Southern California. A very desirable shrub for tall 
screen planting, can also be trained to a single stem and 
grown as a tree. Gallon cans, $1.00; 5-gallon cans, $2.50. 
*Ceanothus arboreus hybridus. “Hybrid Island Lilac.” A nat- 
ural hybrid between C. arboreus and C. spinosus. Of rapid 
growth with large glossy green foliage and immense trusses 
of lavender blue flowers. Very free blooming and delightfully 
fragrant. In massed plantings it creates a veritable cloud of 
blue. Flowering period February to April. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
*Ceanothus crassifolius. ‘‘Thick Leaved Lilac.’”” A much 
branched shrub of rather rigid growth 5 to 12 feet high. 
Leaves thick, opposite, dull green, white tomentose on under 
side. Flowers white; blooms from December to March. Gal- 
lon cans, $1.00. 
*Ceanothus cuneatus. “Buck Brush Lilac.’”” A dense branch- 
ing shrub 5 to 12 feet high, with small dark green oblong 
leaves and white flowers. Flowering period February to April. 
Very attractive when not in bloom as a foliage shrub. Gal- 
lon cans, $1.00. 
‘ 
*Ceanothus cyaneus. “’San Diego Lilac.” A rare species from 
San Diego County, introduced into cultivation by us in 1922 
and now the most popular of the California Wild Lilacs. The 
shrubs grow 6 to 12 feet high with rich glossy green foliage. 
The flowers are produced in immense spikes and are the rich- 
est shade of dark blue, appearing in May and June after the 
other species are over. The blossoms are produced in such 
profusion that the plant is a mass of bloom. This shrub is 
naturally of rather tall sparse growth, but by pruning back 
severely when young it can be made into a well shaped bush. 
It requires good drainage and thrives best in disintegrated 
granite or gravelly soil. Gallon cans, $1.00; 5-gallon cans, $2.50. 
*Ceanothus divaricatus (C. leucodermis). “Spreading Lilac.” 
A spreading bush 5 to 12 feet high with somewhat arching 
branches and glaucous stems and foliage. Flowers in medium 
sized spikes, pale smoky blue, sometimes white. Flowering 
period March to May. Found in foothills and mountains up to 
5,000 feet elevation. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
“um 
Ceanothus foliosus. ‘‘Wavyleaf Lilac.” Low spreading shrub 
usually 1 to 3 feet high, but sometimes growing erect to 8 
feet. The leaves are small, rich dark green and look as though 
they had been varnished. Flowers bright blue to light blue. 
Flowering period March to May. This is one of the most 
attractive of the wild lilacs both for flowers and foliage and 
especially desirable where a low spreading shrub is required. 
By proper pruning back when young, plants can be formed two 
feet high with a spread of 8 or more feet. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
Ceanothus gloriosus. ‘’Point Reyes Lilac.’’ Prostrate or de- 
cumbent shrub a few inches to one foot high, soon forming a 
dense mat and covering a large space. Leaves thick and 
leathery, shiny green. Flowers bright blue, appearing pro- 
fusely in March and April. A splendid ground cover present- 
ing a pleasing appearance the year round and especially when 
covered with the fragrant blossoms. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
*Ceanothus impressus. “Santa Barbara Lilac.’ Spreading 
branching shrub, usually 3 to 5 feet high, but sometimes 
growing quite tall. Leaves small, dark green and deeply fur- 
rowed. Flowers bright blue, appearing from February to April. 
A rare species found near the coast in Santa Barbara and San 
Luis Obispo Counties. One of the most desirable of the wild 
lilacs; succeeds best in sandy soil. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
*Ceanothus megacarpus. ‘Buckthorn Lilac.” Of dense 
branching habit, 6 to 12 feet high, with small dark green 
foliage. Long sprays of white flowers. The earliest of the wild 
lilacs to bloom. In mild winters with early rains, it is often in 
bloom before Christmas. Found in dense masses on hillsides 
and when covered with the white flowers, looks as though the 
bushes were all flecked with snow. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
*Ceanothus oliganthus. “Hairy Lilac.’ A medium sized or 
sometimes tall shrub, 5 to 12 feet high. Young branches red- 
dish brown and hairy. Leaves dark green, somewhat hairy. 
Flowers light to deep blue. Flowering period February to 
April. Dis ea for screen or background planting. Gallon 
cans, $1.00. 
Ceanothus papillosus roweanus. ‘Mount Tranquillon Lilac.” 
Low spreading shrub 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves narrow, dark 
green. Flowers rich bright blue, appearing from February to 
April. Named in honor of Mr. E. D. Rowe, of Santa Barbara, 
who discovered it growing on Mount Tranquillon. One of the 
very best of the low growing kinds. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
Ceanothus purpureus. “’Hollyleaf Lilac.’’ Of low spreading 
habit, usually 2 to 3 feet high, and 5 or 6 feet across, with 
rigid, reddish brown branches. Leaves thick, rich dark glossy 
green, spiny toothed on the edge like miniature holly. Flow- 
ers blue or lavender. Flowering period February to April. 
Very valuable as a ground cover shrub on account of its 
attractive foliage as well as for wealth of blossoms. With a 
little pruning when young can be trained to form a dense 
cover not more than 11% or 2 feet high. Requires good drain- 
age. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
Ceanothus spinosus. “‘Red Heart Lilac.’’ Tall shrub, 8 to 20 
feet high. Bright green foliage and branches; slightly spiny. 
Light blue flowers in large trusses from February to April. 
Of rapid growth and one of the best for places where a large 
shrub is required. Not particular about kind of soil, will 
stand watering and severe pruning. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus. “California Lilac.”” A large dense 
growing shrub 8 to 12 feet high with dark green foliage. The 
flowers are bright blue to deep blue, produced in great pro- 
fusion from March to May. This was the first of the California 
Lilacs to be brought under cultivation and is one of the most 
valuable for general purposes. Very attractive as single speci- 
mens, in groups or for planting against a wall. Very easy to 
grow and will stand ordinary garden culture. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus griseus. ‘Seacliff Lilac.” Similar to 
’ the preceding but with larger, rounder leaves, and generally 
of lower and more spreading growth. The flowering period is 
from March to May and the blossoms are deep rich blue. A 
very desirable shrub thriving well under ordinary garden con- 
ditions. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus repens. ‘’Creeping California Lilac.” 
A prostrate form of C. thyrsiflorus found along the wind 
swept bluffs overlooking the ocean in Marin County, produc- 
ing during March and April large carpets of bright blue flow- 
ers. Gallon cans, $1.25. 
*Ceanothus tomentosus olivaceus. “Ramona Lilac.” A med- 
ium sized shrub 4 to 8 feet high, with rather slender branches 
and reddish brown bark. Leaves olive green, tomentose on the 
under side. Flowers bright blue, appearing from February to 
April. Found in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties, One 
of the best in the collection. Gallon cans, $1.00. 
“Ceanothus verrucosus. “Snowball Lilac.”” A rather small, 
much branched shrub, becoming very dense and growing to 
a height of 3 to 8 feet. Small dark green leaves and white 
flowers borne in long sprays. Flowering period January to 
March. Called Snowball Lilac because the bushes when in 
bloom are a veritable ball of white flowers. From the western 
part of San Diego County. Especially useful where a rather 
small compact shrub is required. Gallon cans, $1.00. 

Seacliff Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus griseus). In Santa Bar- 
bara Botanic Garden. One of the best of the California Lilacs 
for general use. 
