Ceanothus 'Dark Star'
Common name: 
Dark Star Ceanothus
Pronunciation: 
se-a-NO-thus
Family: 
Rhamnaceae
Genus: 
Synonyms: 
Ceanothus x impressus 'Dark Star'
Ceanothus x 'Dark Star'
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf, evergreen shrub, dense, growing to 6 ft tall and 8 ft wide (1.8 x 2.4 m).  Leaves opposite, simple, very small, dark green, with a dimpled surface.  Flowers bright, deep blue, very small, but many per cluster.
  • Sun, drought tolerant, best if grown with little or no summer water when established, need good drainage, does well in nutrient poor soil..  Attracts bees. 
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (7)8   This selection was discovered as a seedling by Ken Taylor in his California garden in 1968 and introduced as 'Dark Star' in 1971.  It is believed to be a cross between the Santa Barbara Ceanothus, Ceanothus impressus, and Ceanothus papillosus
  • Oregon State Univ. campus:  SE Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez on 26th St., just south of the OSU Beaver Store
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, spring flowering

    plant habit, spring flowering

  • plant habit, spring flowering

    plant habit, spring flowering

  • flowers

    flowers

  • flower cluster

    flower cluster

  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • shoot

    shoot

  • leaves

    leaves