Ceanothus 'Concha', commonly called California lilac, is a striking evergreen shrub that brings the wild beauty of California's native flora to gardens across zones 6 to 10. This member of the buckthorn family produces fragrant, showy blue-violet flowers in dense cylindrical clusters from May through October, with peak bloom typically occurring in May and June. Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and spreading 6 to 12 feet wide, it's a low-maintenance shrub that thrives on neglect once established, tolerating both drought and poor, rocky soils that would challenge many ornamentals. The thick, woody root system that anchors it so firmly also makes it exceptionally resilient in hot, dry climates.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-10
60in H x 144in W
—
High
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This California native flowers prolifically over an extended season, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds throughout spring and summer. Deep blue flowers in fragrant clusters are showy enough for cutting and add vertical interest to any garden. Ceanothus 'Concha' shrugs off drought, deer, and rabbits with equal indifference, asking only for full sun and well-drained soil to perform beautifully with virtually no annual maintenance once its deep roots establish.
Ceanothus 'Concha' serves as an excellent hedging shrub and foundation planting in water-wise landscapes. Its extended bloom season and pollinator magnetism make it valuable in native plant gardens and xeriscaping schemes where drought-tolerant structure and seasonal color are priorities. The showy, fragrant flowers are suitable for cutting arrangements, bringing indoor color during late spring and early summer.
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“Ceanothus as a genus contains roughly 50 species, with the vast majority native to California, earning the common name California lilac. The genus name itself traces back to keanothos, an ancient Greek term applied to related plants in the buckthorn family. Native peoples and early California settlers recognized the plant's resilience in arid environments, and horticulturists eventually selected superior ornamental forms like 'Concha' for garden cultivation, bringing this wild shrub into landscapes far beyond its native range.”