Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
File:Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 2.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rhamnaceae
Genus:	Ceanothus
Species:	C. thyrsiflorus
Binomial name
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Eschsch.
File:Ceanothus thyrsiflorus range map 4.png
Natural range of Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, known as blueblossom or blue blossom ceanothus, is an evergreen shrub in the genus Ceanothus that is endemic to California. The term 'Californian lilac' is also applied to this and other varieties of ceanothus, though it is not closely related to Syringa, the true lilac.

Description

C. thyrsiflorus can grow more than 6 m (20 ft) tall in its native chaparral habitat. Flowers vary from different shades of blue to close to white. It is popular with birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Cultivation

C. thyrsiflorus has been used in gardens extensively, and several cultivars have been selected. Popular garden varieties include:-

• 'Blue Mound' which can grow to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall
• 'Cascade' which may reach 8 m (26 ft) of height
• 'El Dorado', a variegated cultivar with gold edge foliage and powder blue flowers
• 'Repens' which stays as a shrub around 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in – 9 ft 10 in) tall
• 'Repens Victoria', forming a sturdy evergreen mound and most useful groundcover with powder blue flowers
• 'Skylark', a tall type with blue flowers (this cultivar has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit)
• 'Snow Flurry', with white flowers

See also

• California chaparral and woodlands
• California montane chaparral and woodlands
• California native plants

External links

• CalFlora Database: Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (blueblossom)
• Jepson eFlora (TJM2): Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
• Ceanothus thyrsiflorus — U.C. Photo gallery