Ceanothus gloriosus, Point Reyes ceanothus
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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Ceanothus gloriosus

Point Reyes ceanothus

Rhamnaceae

Coastal Marin County, California (Point Reyes National Seashore)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitSpreading
FoliageEvergreen
Height6-18 inches (15-45 cm)
Width4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

A prostrate to low-mounding evergreen shrub reaching 6–18 inches (15–45 cm) tall and spreading 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m) wide. Leaves are small, 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long, broadly oval to nearly round, leathery, with distinctly holly-like toothed margins and a glossy dark green upper surface. Stems root where they contact soil over time, increasing spread. Flowers appear in dense clusters 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) across, blue to violet-blue, covering the plant in March and April. Individual blooms are small, 5-petaled; clusters held just above the foliage. Plants are short-lived by shrub standards, typically declining after 10–15 years. Stems become woody and irregular with age; the plant does not regenerate reliably from old wood if cut hard. Established plants are highly drought tolerant but do not recover from standing water or clay soils with poor drainage.

Native Range

Native to the coastal bluffs and headlands of Marin County, California, particularly around Point Reyes National Seashore. Grows on exposed coastal scrub, rocky outcrops, and stabilized sand dunes within 1–5 miles (1.6–8 km) of the Pacific Ocean at elevations below 500 feet (150 m). Restricted to a relatively narrow native range compared to other Ceanothus species.

Suggested Uses

Used as a groundcover on dry, well-drained slopes and banks where erosion control is needed; effective on coastal sites exposed to salt wind. Planted at 4–5 foot (1.2–1.5 m) spacing for bank coverage. Not suitable for lawns, irrigated borders, or sites with clay soils. Functions as a habitat plant, providing nectar for native bees during early-season bloom.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other low-growing Ceanothus by its distinctly holly-like leaves — broadly oval, 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long, with conspicuously spiny-toothed margins and a glossy upper surface. Stems remain prostrate to low-mounding, rarely exceeding 18 inches (45 cm) in height. Blue to violet-blue flower clusters appear in March–April held just above the foliage. Mature stems develop reddish-brown bark contrasting with the deep green leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'6"
Width/Spread4' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

blue
violet blue

Foliage Colors

dark green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Flowers March through April in most garden settings, with peak bloom lasting 3–4 weeks. In mild coastal locations bloom may begin in late February. The flower clusters are dense and cover the plant when conditions are favorable, though bloom intensity varies by year. No reliable repeat bloom occurs after the spring flush.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

blue to violet-blue

Foliage Description

glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish the root system; once established, supplemental irrigation should be reduced to once or twice monthly in summer at most, as excess summer water is the primary cause of plant failure. Do not plant in clay soils or areas where water pools after rain. Avoid disturbing the root zone with cultivation once established, as Ceanothus roots are sensitive to disturbance. Fertilization is not recommended and can promote excessive growth that shortens plant life. Root rot (Phytophthora) develops rapidly in poorly drained soils, particularly in combination with summer irrigation. Plants are not reliably long-lived; expect replacement after 10–15 years.

Pruning

Prune lightly immediately after flowering in late April or May to remove dead stems and tidy edges; do not cut into old woody stems, as the plant does not regenerate from leafless old wood. Remove individual dead or damaged branches as they appear. No shearing or hard renovation pruning — once a significant portion of the plant has died back, replacement is more reliable than cutting back.

Pruning Schedule

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Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic