Ceanothus verrucosus

Wart-Stemmed Ceanothus is an evergreen shrub averaging five-eight feet in height, and a little narrower in width. Wart-stemmed ceanothus is so called because of the bumpy, rough stipules where the leaves connect to the stem, giving the stems a warty appearance. The white flowers and closely placed leaves (tight as on myrtle), make this California lilac useful as a border planting or low hedge. Occurring in coastal San Diego county, we were surprised that there was no frost damage to new plantings at 15 degrees F, and established plants handled 0 degrees F., with no problems. The deer do not seem to relish wart-stemmed Ceanothus. In referring to the common name, people keep asking us "will the plant give us warts?" The answer is no, not to our knowledge. Click here for more about California Lilacs (Ceanothus). Why do the roots of some of the Ceanothus look funny?