The Point Reyes Ceanothus is a woody evergreen shrub native to coastal Northern California where it receives 20-30 inches of precipitation annually. It grows 2-5 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, with small thick shiny dark green leaves and clusters of sweetly scented medium blue flowers in spring. As a groundcover, it has a neat appearance and is suitable for slopes, retaining walls, and as a substitute for invasive ivies. It provides habitat for pollinators and requires full sun along the coast, afternoon shade inland, and summer watering in very dry conditions.

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 redbrown 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 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.
Blooms/fruits:
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
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun only along coast; afternoon shade further inland
Best in sandy soils, but cultivars quite tolerant of clays; any local pH
Needs some summer water – Zone 2 or even 2-3 in sand; rinse leaves in summer.
None required.
Use an organic mulch like bark chips.
Pretty low maintenance.
Trim back or hedge-shear (if desired) after blooming.
Only prune smaller branches (less than ½ inch diameter).
Management:
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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