Californian lilac

All you need to know about growing ceanothus, including planting, care and varieties to buy. Advice from the experts at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.

When I first visited Portland in 2013, one of the plants that caught my attention was a shrub smothered with vibrant blue flowers. I saw it ...

Daylight, cloudy day

Project Noah is a tool that nature lovers can use to explore and document local wildlife and a common technology platform that research groups can use to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.

Regarded as one of the best California Lilacs for gardens, award-winner Ceanothus 'Concha' is a dense, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of deep blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Opening from reddish purple buds, the flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, transforming the plant in an explosion of blue. The blooms are borne on gracefully ascending, arching branches clad with small, dark green leaves. Ignored by hungry deer, this pretty shrub is a…

Though ceanothus has fragrant spring blooms, California lilacs are not related to true lilacs. Here's what you need to know about the other lilac.

A species of California lilacs

Looking for flowering shrubs for full-sun areas of your yard? Here are plenty of stunners worth planting, no matter which hardiness zone you're in.

Plant images and details for Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' - Ray Hartman California Lilac.

An adaptable shrub growing 6 ft. tall and wide, with a dazzling display of glowing purple-blue flowers in the spring. The gracefully arching branches carry dark green shiny leaves and are tolerant of light pruning. Thrives in full sun with little or no water once established. More tolerant of heavy soils and summer watering than most ceanothus. Shrubby Ceanothus provide seeds