Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Common name: 
Blue Blossom
Pronunciation: 
se-a-NO-thus thurs-i-FLO-rus
Family: 
Rhamnaceae
Genus: 
Ceanothus
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
Yes
  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub, 4-12 ft (1.2-4 m), stiff, upright.  Leaves alternate, simple, glossy green, to 5 cm long, three prominent veins on the underside, tip obtuse to acute, margin sometimes gland-toothed.  Flowers may range from blue to white, in 7.5 cm spike-like clusters.  Fruit about 3 mm, glandular-sticky, slightly lobed.
  • Sun, may freeze out in winter in Corvallis some years, needs good drainage, does best in alkaline soil.  Easy to grow.  Used for screen and background plantings in large spaces and on slopes.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (7)8      Found in the Coast Range foothills from Santa Barbara County, Calif. to Oregon.  Both white (e.g., 'Snow Flurry') and blue flowered cultivars available.
  • thyrse: a type of inflorescence, a compact panicle-like inflorescence whose distal end is indeterminate and lateral branches determinate, e.g., lilac.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flower clusters

    flower clusters

  • flowers and leaves

    flowers and leaves

  • leafy shoot

    leafy shoot

  • leaf

    leaf

  • leaf surface and margin

    leaf surface and margin