Ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Also called Californian lilac and Blue blossom
Garden plant · ShrubsFast, spectacular and short-lived — ten or fifteen years is a good run. It will not take hard pruning into old wood, so shape it young or replace it when it goes leggy.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 9 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun, sheltered from cold wind
- Feed
- Every 60 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 6 m tall · 6 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- California and Oregon
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.