Gardening
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis
California lilacs
Fast-growing ground covers, native to Monterey coastal area
Native to the Western United States, ceanothus, or wild lilac, presents itself in almost every shape and size: as small trees, sprawling shrubs and conforming ground covers and everything in between. About 40 of the 60 species are from California, says Bob Perry, author of “Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes,” a thorough source book for gardeners interested in water-conservation gardens.
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis “Carmel Creeper” and “Yankee Point,” both of the ground-cover persuasion, have their origins in the Monterey area. Because of their coastal beginnings, they can tolerate a little more water than can most other ceanothus, which basically live only on annual rainfall once they are established. Because Southern California gardeners have a tendency to overwater plants that don’t need it, these two ground covers have an edge.
“Carmel Creeper” is a mounding ground cover, 18 to 30 inches high, densely covered with 2-inch, oval-shaped bright-green leaves that are glossy and crinkly. In the spring, it is profuse with 1-inch clusters of medium blue flowers. More finely textured is a relative of “Carmel Creeper,” “Yankee Point,” which gets somewhat taller (3 to 5 feet) and is a darker green with slightly smaller leaves and medium- to dark-blue flowers. Stems grow outward to as much as 8 feet from the center, jutting about at angles.
“Carmel Creeper” and “Yankee Point” are planted in masses, used to cover large areas. They should not be included in mixed planting, probably because other plants have water requirements that would drown them. Planted on slopes, these varieties are good at holding back erosion, not so much because of their root structure but because their flat leaves, growing horizontally, break the fall of rain and disperse it.
Plant these and other such California natives in the fall. A well-drained soil is a must; fertilizer is not necessary. Near the coast, plant in full sun; they survive in hotter, interior regions if situated in partial shade. They should receive no water in the summer, and never any overhead watering.
Perry cautions in his book: “For the first 3 to 5 years these plants seem to thrive on summer water, but this practice often leads to overgrowth disease and earlier deaths.” A plant with root rot turns yellowish and dies back.
Smaller-sized plants are faster growing. Space 1-gallon cans 6 to 8 feet apart. This is done for two reasons: This type of plant needs good air circulation, and the distance prevents excessive mounding later. Plants will fill in within a few years. If you are the impatient type, fill the bare spots with poppies.
Something to think about: Ceanothus could actually be regarded as a very large perennial. Fifteen years is considered a long lifetime.
To see it in its myriad forms, visit Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in the spring. An entire section is devoted to the genus, the garden contains more than 70 species and cultivars of ceanothus.
Available through local nurseries from San Marcos Growers in Santa Barbara, and El Modeno Gardens Inc. in Irvine. Other sources include native-plant nurseries such as Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley and Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano.
