Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Ceanothus foliosus is a species of flowering shrub in the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family known by the common name Wavyleaf Ceanothus. This Ceanothus is endemic to California, where its distribution extends throughout the Coast Ranges and the northern end of the Peninsular Ranges. This shrub appears in a variety of forms throughout its range. It may be tall and erect but is generally under two meters in height; it may also be low-lying and sprawling. There are three recognized varieties; var. vineatus (Vine Hill Ceanothus) is a rare form. The species generally has sparse, small evergreen leaves only one to two centimeters in length and toothed along the edges with hairy knobs. The petite flower clusters are borne on naked stalks and are bunched with blue or lavender flowers with prominent yellow anthers. The fruit is a capsule about 4 millimeters long containing usually 3 seeds. It is an excellent butterfly plant.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

4 - 7 ft Tall
7 ft Wide

Form

Rounded

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Pleasant

Calscape icon
Color

Blue, Lavender

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Hedge

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 15° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Prefers slightly acidic soil but tolerates a variety of soils. Tolerates serpentine soil..
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: Hot water; then 3 mos. stratification may improve germination.

Site type

Relatively dry, open, rocky slopes of coast-facing mountains up to 5, 000 ft. as part of chaparral, woodland or coniferous forest

Plant communities

Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 87 likely

Confirmed Likely

Acanthopteroctetes unifascia

Sallow Button

Acleris hastiana

Cottonwood Dagger Moth

Acronicta lepusculina

Acronicta perdita