Plant DetailShow Menu

Ceanothus x pallidus

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
say-an-OH-thus BY PAL-lid-dus
Description

California Lilacs are a native shrub that grows as a loosely branched broadly mounded shrub. Plant it as a hedge, in shrub borders, native gardens or along a foundation. It can withstand the reflected heat of south-facing walls. It is drought tolerant once established but plant in a location protected from the wind. They do best in sandy or rocky well-drained soils. Plants may die back to the ground if temperatures drop below zero but will bounce back if well established. They are difficult to transplant due to the root system.

Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems though occasional problems with powdery mildew and leaf spot. Wet soils can cause root rot.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marie Simon'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Minmarie'
    Compact blue-flowered
'Marie Simon', 'Minmarie'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#foundation planting#border planting#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marie Simon'
    Pink flowers
  • 'Minmarie'
    Compact blue-flowered
'Marie Simon', 'Minmarie'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#nectar plant#specialized bees#foundation planting#border planting#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ceanothus
    Family:
    Rhamnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North American hybrid
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Ceanothus support the following specialized bees: Pseudopanurgus pauper and Pseudopanurgus virginicus.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Description:
    Attractive red seed heads
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Panicles of pink to blue blooms in May to June that resemble lilacs.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Broad, shiny, lustrous, non-showy fall color up to 3 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil