Scientific name: Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Family: RHAMNACEAE
Common names: “Ceanothus” “California lilac”
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
Conditions:
Zone: 8-10
Light: Full sun
Exposure: Shelter from cold winds, but tolerates seaside
Soil: Fertile – average, fixes nitrogen, doesn’t like clay
Moisture: Well drained – dry, summer drought
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: 8-20′ H & W
Leaf and Stem shape: Dark green leaves on green stems
Flower: Very floriferous, blue to blue-grey, fragrant honey scented flowers 
Pruning: Prune after flowering in early summer, early spring for harder renovation pruning, young shrubs can be cut down to 1′ but older shrubs may not survive
Maintenance: Low – medium
Landscape use: Hedge, seaside, espalier, xeriscapes
Propagate: By seed and cuttings
Pests & Disease: Can be affected by oak root fungus in warmer climates
Comments: Attracts bees, small leafed ceanothus are more deer resistant
Cultivars: ~AGM winners: C. t. ‘Mystery Blue’ , C. ‘Skylark’ & C. t. var. repens
C. t. ‘Victoria’ – the hardiest
