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Ceanothus thyrsiflorus - Rhamnaceae - 'Blueblossom,' 'California Lilac.'- This beautiful shrub or small tree is a beacon of the California coast, blooming with profusion in early spring without fail. A tight dense mound with glossy foliage is covered with blue flower clusters with the sweetest scent- some prefer it to the true Lilac.

An excellent ornamental plant, many named forms are available which take advantage of this plants tendency to create new shapes depending on the habitat, from prostrate to tall and tree-like. The plants offered are the offspring of carefully selected wild parents, low growing and ground hugging, which will achieve a height of 2'-4' tall at maturity and a diameter of 6'.

Blooming early, this will be a mass of pale blue, very fragrant flowers starting in March to May depending on how far south you are located. Reported cold-hardiness in California range from 20ºF, where you would see some leaf damage, to 10ºF or lower, where the plant would be frozen to the ground. When this occurs, in most cases, it will pop up from the roots strong as ever the following spring.