Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Horticultural selection from Ceanothus maritimus. Frosty Dawn California Lilac, also known as Maritime ceanothus, is a small, evergreen groundcover 2'-3' x 5'-6'. Its low, compact and creeping habit make this an excellent choice for coastal gardens. Like it's parent, Frosty Dawn is slow growing but long lived, try planting Frosty Dawn Ceanothus on hills, mixed in with boulders, or in a border that has plants that also prefer low water. Leaves are greyish green above, nearly white with wool beneath. It produces dense clusters of lavender-blue flowers in spring, even as early as December. Provide additional water and protection from afternoon sun inland.

Horticultural selection C. maritimus; intro David Fross, Native sons Nursery Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected from cuttings collected by Austin Griffiths and David Fross south of Arroyo de la Cruz in 1985.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall
3 - 5 ft Wide

Form

Prostrate

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Pleasant, Slight

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Color

Purple, Blue

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Water

Low

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

15

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Tolerates saline soil..
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Maintenance

Tip prune if a compact shape is desired.

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