Ceanothus leucodermis

Common Names

Chaparral Whitethorn, White Bark California Lilac

Summary

Chaparral Whitethorn is an evergreen shrub native to California and Baja California that typically grows on dry, rocky chaparral slopes. It forms an upright, dense shrub with white bark on trunks and rigid thorn-like branches, and evergreen leaves with three prominent veins; spring flowers appear in dense clusters and range from blue, lavender, to white.

It prefers full sun to partial shade with well-draining soils and is highly drought-tolerant, requiring only very low irrigation once established; propagation is by seed or cuttings, and it forms nitrogen-fixing root nodules with Frankia and can sprout from root crowns after fire. It is valued for erosion control on steep slopes and for wildlife habitat, supporting mule deer and bighorn sheep, and is used in landscape plantings as an ornamental and for bank stabilization; USDA zones 9–11.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-13 ft 1 in

Spread

6-7 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining soil, loam ideal, tolerates rocky or sandy soils, pH slightly acidic to neutral

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Bloom Color

Blue to white

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Root-crown sprouting, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators