Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Stan Shebs

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Show all photos

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis

Also Known As

California Lilac
Carmel Ceanothus
Carmel Creeper

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 6'-7'

planting zones

8a-10b

More Options

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis plant details

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: rhamnaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT - 7 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in spring
Uses: fragrant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This fast growing, evergreen groundcover grows 3-4' tall and 10-12' wide. The shrub's shiny leaves, a mounding mass, dense form, and graceful habit make it an attractive bank cover. A great plant for a coastal garden where it is exposed to strong winds and salt spray, but also good in coastal valleys, and ok inland if given a little afternoon shade and weekly sprinkles. Easy-to-grow and hardy. Can be pruned to keep a lower aspect and useful in various landscape designs. Sprinkled with medium-blue flower clusters February-May. Endemic to California. Provides nectar for bees and butterflies. Fresh or dried flowers mixed with water and used as a soap for washing hands, face and body. Flowers used in dance wreathes at the Strawberry Festival. Found in coastal strand. Communitites located in Closed-cone Pine Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub Between 0 and 656 feet.

By: The Watershed Nursery

Spreading shrub to 4' with glossy green leaves and pale blue flowers held in 1" clusters. Fast-growing, this Ceanothus responds well to pruning but needs a well-drained position in the garden, especially in heavier soils. Provide full sun in coastal regions and partial shade in Southern California interior gardens. Hardy to 10F.

By: Native Sons

Small glossy green leaves, medium blue flower clusters. Hardy to 25 °F, occasional down to 20 °F.

By: Cactus Jungle

This California native reaches only 24-36" in height and will spread 6-7' at maturity. It bears glossy dark green 2" long leaves. Milky, light blue flowers are borne in early spring. Easy to grow with good drought tolerance. Evergreen in mild areas and tolerates some shade in warmer areas.