Blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)

Photo by: Brother Eric Vogel, F.S.C.
Native Wildflowers of California CD-ROM

Plant Profile

Blue blossom is a large, erect, evergreen shrub (3.5 to 20 feet) with prolific blooms and attractive foliage. Flowers are pale to deep blue with yellow stamens. Bloom time: March to June.

This plant is a sweet-smelling shrub that ranks among nature's best healers. Not only does it reduce erosion as it eagerly covers burned or cutover areas, it also helps to replenish nitrogen in the damaged soil. As beautiful as it is nuturing, blueblossom brings clouds of color to the hillslopes while the fragrance of its lilac-like blossoms perfumes entire canyons when warmed by the morning sun.

Indians made a tea from the flowers and leaves of the plant, concocted a red dye from its roots, turned its stems into foundations for their baskets, and mixed the blossoms with water to produce a soap. On occasion, an Indian bride and groom would shampoo each other's hair with aromatic suds as part of their wedding ceremony.

Culture

Prefers full sun to light shade. Can tolerate water during active growth. Quite drought tolerant but needs occasional deep watering until established. Ideal for a dry border; good for many situations such as hedges, roadside plantings and specimen plants. May be pinched and trained.

California Native Plant Society - North Coast Chapter
P.O. Box 1067 Arcata, CA 95518-1067
Last updated February 4, 1997