California lilac is a hybrid deciduous to semi-deciduous shrub in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Parentage is a cross between C. herbaceus and C . × delilianus ( C. americanus and C. coeruleus ). The genus name comes from keanothos, which is an ancient Greek name relating to some plants in the buckthorn family. The specific epithet pallidus comes from Latin meaning "pale". The shrub grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in a bushy, rounded form and does best in well-drained sandy or rocky soils in full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established due to the deep root system. In hotter summer areas, it will appreciate some afternoon shade. Prune in early spring to control size. Temperatures below 0 degrees F will cause it to die to the ground but it will regrow in spring. The showy clusters of soft pink blooms resembling lilacs appear in early summer and attract butterflies and bees. It blooms on new wood so pruning will just make it better. It is easier to find the hybrids for sale, such as 'Marie Simon'. Use the shrub in a border, butterfly or pollinator garden, as a foundation or specimen plant or a low hedge. Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems though occasional problems with powdery mildew and leaf spot. Wet soils can cause root rot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheHibiscus 'Fireball'Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda'Salvia rosmarinus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Broad, shiny, lustrous, non-showy fall color up to 3 inches long.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Panicles of pink to blue blooms in May to June that resemble lilacs.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Attractive red seed heads
Stem color
Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Ceanothus support the following specialized bees: Pseudopanurgus pauper and Pseudopanurgus virginicus.