Ceanothus tomentosus

Ceanothus tomentosus is an evergreen shrub that can reach 6-8 ft. (In the Sierra Nevada around Ione individuals reach 4-6 ft.). and grows in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada from Mariposa north to Placer and in very small populations down to Baja. Companion plants are Quercus dumosa (Q. berberidifolia), Pinus sabiniana, Arctostaphylos myrtifolia, Baccharis pilularis, Rhamnus californica (Rhamnus tomentella ssp. tomentella), Eriodictyon californicum, Arctostaphylos viscida ssp. mariposa, A. manzanita, and Adenostoma fasciculatum. The Ione form occurs on red sandstone (with hard pan) to decomposed granite and is really cute. The populations in southern California look like small woolly Ceanothus arboreus bushes/trees. This California lilac is very distinct and beautiful. This shrub has grown well here in our Santa Margarita location in decomposed granite. Click here for more about California Lilacs (Ceanothus). Why do the roots of some of the Ceanothus look funny?