Ceanothus cyaneus

San Diego Mountain Lilac is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that is covered with light blue flowers in spring. This Ceanothus has a reputation for being short-lived (10years), but it lives for fifty or more years in the wild, and seems to have poor garden tolerance. C. cyaneus grows well in coastal California native landscapes; needs good drainage and little water after established. You can wash the dust off of the foliage, but that's about it. Ceanothus cyaneus is susceptible to severe frost damage or death at 15-20 degrees F. and hates having its roots bothered after planted. The glossy green foliage and beautiful blue flowers seem to be a call to deer, eat this one (but it's one of the pretty ones! ) When in bloom this species is regarded as one of the most beautiful of all California Ceanothus. Van Rensselaer, Maunsell and Howard McMinn Click here for more about Mountain Lilacs.