Ceanothus bushes, also known as California lilacs, have enamored me for a number of years. They are a native plant that grows in great number in my part of inland San Diego County so I’ve added many to my yard. But one I can’t seem to possess.
I first noticed it about ten years ago while hiking Mount Woodson on the Ramona side. Among sumacs and buckwheat were bushes around six to ten feet tall that glowed with white flowers in the middle of winter, before anything else had started blooming.
I took cuttings and tried to root them. No luck. I found the plant’s name, Ceanothus crassifolius, or Hoaryleaf ceanothus (an unattractive name for an attractive plant), and tried to buy one at a nursery but never have I found one. I tried to germinate seeds but failed.
This winter, the crassifolius bushes began to open flowers around the end of February and they reached their peak in early March, when some hillsides between Mount Woodson and Lakeside along Highway 67 looked dusted with snow, there were so many in full bloom.
I’d never seen them so concentrated so I planned to take pictures of them this week but it’s already too late. Their flowers have turned more of a cream color, their glow is lost, and you’d barely notice them anymore. I suppose this is another way in which Ceanothus crassifolius bushes have eluded me.
Ceanothus crassifolius are said to grow in the mountains throughout Southern California, but I have never noticed them outside of San Diego County. Maybe I haven’t been paying close enough attention though?
Regardless, I see them more often on south sides of hills. Most other ceanothus bushes have blue flowers, and those I see more often on a hill’s north aspect or in a drainage.
Did you notice this white ceanothus on the hillsides earlier this winter? Are you noticing the blue ceanothus now?
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Ceanothus verrucosus (Warty-Stem Ceanothus) also has white flowers, and is pretty common throughout mid-elevations in San Diego County. You might be seeing some of that here and there too.
Thanks, Judd. I’ll be on the lookout for those. Wonder if they bloom as early as crassifolius or a bit later like the blues.
I saw stunning hillsides of purple looking on the north sides of mission trails area from the 52 this week! Ceanothus are incredible. I’ve added a few varieties to my yard, there is such a breadth of sizes and growth types.
Also I may be mistaken but I believe I saw ceanothus crassifolius at Walter Andersen in Point Loma this past week – from grower Moosa Creek. I’ll have to check again!
Yes, Matt! I saw those, especially near the summit on the 52. Beautiful.
I’ve seen on the Moosa Creek website that they propagate crassifolius, but I’ve never seen it at a retail nursery. I should just order it from them through Andersen’s.
Greg,
I planted a native Lilac in my yard 4 years ago, it was the size of my forearm. It is now 9 feet tall, blooming and smelling amazing! I have two more varieties as well, and I live in Winchester (right outside of Temecula).
They seem to only like being planted during that Winter/Spring transition period (strong emphasis on Winter – they love cool weather) and especially in spotty tree shade near a fence or wall. Those are the only successful Lilacs I have, as many others I’ve tried in sunnier, unprotected locations, have dried to a crisp here lol