Gardening sheet for Ceanothus gloriosus

1. * Point Reyes Ceanothus – Ceanothus gloriosus (see-uh-NO-thus glor-ee-OH-sus )
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
Native to: Endemic to North and Central CA coast (Marin, Sonoma Counties), including Outer North
Coast Ranges and San Francisco Bay Area; seaside bluffs and the slopes in closed cone conifer
forest, coastal dunes, coastal scrub below 1700'. Area receives 20-30 in. precipitation, fog.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/ground cover mature height: 2-5 ft. mature width: 6-10 ft.
Evergreen, woody shrub with habit that may be prostrate, mounded or even upright. Bark red-
brown aging to gray. Leaves small, thick, shiny dark green above and lighter beneath. Leaves
rounded and may be toothed like a holly. Foliage has neat, attractive appearance. Rapid growth.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – usually Feb-Apr in our area. Flowers are cluster of small, sweet
scented blossoms typical of Ceanothus. Flowers are medium blue. Very showy bloomer.
Uses in the garden: Great groundcover plant, particularly near the coast (Sunset Zone 24). Neat
appearance makes it good for front yards. Elegant cascading over a retaining wall. Good on slopes.
Cultivar 'Anchor Bay' is very dense and low-growing (1-2 ft tall) with darker blue flowers and garden
tolerance; 'Heart's Desire' (? C. gloriosus X C. griseus) is very low (< 1 ft) with light blue flowers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ground covers like ivy.
Attracts: Good habitat plant: provides nectar and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun only along coast; afternoon shade further inland
Soil Best in sandy soils, but cultivars quite tolerant of clays; any local pH
Water Needs some summer water – Zone 2 or even 2-3 in sand; rinse leaves in summer.
Fertilizer None required.
Other Use an organic mulch like bark chips.
Management: Pretty low maintenance. Trim back or hedge-shear (if desired) after blooming.
Only prune smaller branches (less than ½ inch diameter).
Propagation: from seed: hot water/cold moist treatment by cuttings: soft and semi-soft wood
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 20, 24 1/30/12
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