California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Concha') - blue flowers, illustrated plant card

California Lilac

Ceanothus 'Concha'

Also comes in purple.

One of the most popular California lilac cultivars, smothered in rich cobalt-blue flower clusters in spring against glossy dark-green evergreen foliage. Highly drought tolerant once established and excellent for wildlife.

Bloom calendar
Bloom time
Apr–May
Hardiness
Zones 8–11
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low water
Mature size
7.9 ft × 9.8 ft
Type
Shrub
Verification

This entry comes from our curated library and has not yet been independently checked against outside sources. Curated is not unreliable: a standing audit keeps every entry internally consistent, and the source-by-source check is working through the whole library in the open.

Growing California Lilac

Plant it in full sun. It prefers low water. It is hardy in USDA zones 8–11. Expect it to reach about 7.9 ft tall and 9.8 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 3 years.

When to plant California Lilac

Plant California Lilac in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 8 to 11 range, spring means January to March and fall means October or November. Once settled, it blooms from April to May.

Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 9 in January.

Explore similar plants

You might also like

Design a garden with this

Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.

Design a garden with this →