Carried by 12 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
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Chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis) is an evergreen shrub in the Buckthorn family. It’s native to California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal and inland mountain habitat.
This large shrub has thorns that grow along the stem. Its blue-green leaves are small and oval and contrast nicely with the gray-white, waxy stem. Chaparral whitehorn blooms in spring, with long clusters of tiny flowers in shades of blue, lavender, or white. The small fruit is a sticky, yellow-green capsule small mammals, birds, and insects eat. Mule deer and bighorn sheep browse the new growth and shoots.
This ceanothus is easy to grow if it’s properly sited. It prefers the mountains or interior valleys to the coast. Plant on a slope among other shrubs to protect the roots from direct sun.
Shrub
6 - 13 ft Tall
3 - 7 ft Wide
Rounded, Upright Columnar
Fast
Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous
Slight
Blue, Purple, Lavender, White
Spring, Winter
Bank stabilization, Hedge
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low, Low
Max 1x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 0 - 5° F
Fast
Dry, rocky.
Soil PH: 6 - 8
For propagating by seed: Hot water and 1-3 mos. stratification. Hot water only may give satisfactory germination.
7*, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18*
Dry, rocky or sandy slopes in chaparral or in openings in forest or woodland
Chaparral, Foothill Woodland
Woollyleaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus tomentosus), Woollyleaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus tomentosus), Hoaryleaf Ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius), Scrub oak species, Spiny Redberry (Rhamnus crocea)
Butterflies and moths supported
2 confirmed and 92 likely
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia cana
White-streaked Saturnia Moth
Saturnia albofasciata
Cottonwood Dagger Moth
Acronicta lepusculina