(Madagascar Periwinkle, Viper Madagascar Periwinkle)

The relatively tall, large-flowered vinca in the Viper Series were developed by British breeders at FloraNova. They are early flowering and have good tolerance to the intense summer heat and dry soil as well as cooler, moister growing conditions.

Vinca, or Madagascar periwinkle, is a bushy tender perennial shrub that delights with many colorful, radial flowers that appear all season long. As its common name suggests, it’s native to Madagascar, a tropical island off the southeastern coast of...

(California Lilac)

Long before these California natives caught on out west, the English developed ‘Cascade’ in 1938, the first hybrid suited to the rainy, cool climate of Great Britain. It is believed to have come from Ceanothus thyrsifolius, which shares an enormous range from Santa Barbara to Oregon. This upright shrub produces small dark glossy green leaves with a unique wrinkled surface.

‘Cascade’ blooms heavily mid to late spring with clusters of tiny blue flowers at the branch tips. Due to the...

(California Lilac, Joyce Coulter Wild Lilac, Wild Lilac)

Intense cobalt blue color and evergreen compact form make this shrub one of the finest varieties of California lilac for gardens. ‘Concha’ may indeed be the most heavily flowered hybrids. It was discovered among seedlings of coastal Santa Barbara lilac, Ceanothus impressus crossed with Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus. Wider than it is tall, this low branching shrub produces small dark glossy green leaves with a unique wrinkled surface.

‘Concha’ blooms heavily mid to late...

(California Lilac, Ray Hartman Wild Lilac, Wild Lilac)

California lilac is a fantastic large, evergreen shrub that can be trained into a small tree. It grows very quickly forms a large mound with arching branches. The heavy flowering cultivar,'Ray Hartman', is a vigorous hybrid that's a cross between Ceanothus griseus and C. arboreus.

The glossy, dark green leaves of this selection have deep, conspicuous surface veins. Lots of showy, elongated clusters of light blue flowers appear in mid to late spring. Butterflies love the beautiful...

(California Lilac, Santa Barbara Ceanothus, Victoria Wild Lilac, Wild Lilac)

A drought-tolerant hybrid California lilac, 'Victoria' produces lots of alluring blue flowers in early summer. It has dense, evergreen foliage and an appealing bushy habit. Some speculate that this cultivar is synonymous with Ceanothus 'Skylark.'

The glossy, dark green leaves of this selection have deep, conspicuous surface veins. Lots of showy, elongated clusters of sky blue flowers appear in mid to late spring. Butterflies love the beautiful blooms.

For best results, grow 'Victoria'...

(Carmel Creeper)

Carmel ceanothus is a vigorous, drought tolerant, evergreen shrub native to California. In late spring to early summer, this reliable bloomer bears prolific pale to dark blue flower clusters against glossy green leaves with gray undersides.

There are several great cultivars available. 'Yankee Point' is a heavy-flowering, more compact selection with a very broad horizontal habit, and 'Santa Ana' has a broad, spreading habit and very dark blue flowers.

Though tolerant of lime, this plant thrives...

(Carmel Ceanothus, Carmel Creeper)

Carmel creeper is a fantastic low-growing evergreen shrub with glossy green elaves and light blue flowers. It is a vigorous grower native to California. Likes sheltered areas in full sun with fertile, well drained soil. In the colder parts of its range it can sustain winter damage. Use as a broad and large groundcover or slope stabilizer. 'Hurricane Point' spreads rapidly to 35 ft/10m in width. 'Yankee Point' spreads only one third that distance.

(Carmel Creeper, Silver Surprise Carmel Creeper)

Silver Surprise carmel creeper, or 'Brass', is a fantastic low-growing evergreen shrub with glossy gray-green leaves with cream edges and light blue flowers. In full sun and in summer, the leaf variegation is more pronounced although the cream blotches are irregularly found on all leaf edges. Conversely, in a shadier location, or during the winter, green becomes the dominant leaf color. In either situation, it is a vigorous grower native to California and blooms in late spring. This was selected...

(Carmel Ceanothus, Carmel Creeper, Diamond Heights Ceanothus)

Diamond Heights carmel creeper, or variegated carmel creeper, is a fantastic low-growing evergreen shrub with glossy yellow and green leaves and light blue flowers. In full sun and in summer, the yellow variegation is more pronounced. Conversely, in a shadier location, or during the winter, green becomes the dominant leaf color. In either situation, it is a vigorous grower native to California.

'Diamond Heights' is its best in a sheltered area in full sun with fertile, well drained soil. In the...

(Carmel Ceanothus, Carmel Creeper, Yankee Point Ceanothus)

Noted for its extra low-growing habit and high vigor, ‘Yankee Point’ is an older, yet highly popular, cultivar of the California native Carmel Mountain lilac. In fact, it is said to be the most widely planted native groundcover in California. Esteemed horticulturist and former director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Maunsell Van Rensselaer, first introduced this selection in 1954 after he discovered it at Yankee Point Rock, an insular point off of the Coast of Monterey County.

The broad...