Hairy Ceanothus
Ceanothus oliganthus
Care
full sun
very low
Fast, Medium; Tolerates both heavy and sandy soils.
10–10ft tall , 12–12ft wide
Jan-Dec
Evergreen
Resistant
Prized
Supports up to 120 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California
Interior chaparral in San Diego and Riverside Counties, 1500-4000 ft elevation on dry ridges.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Hairy Ceanothus in full sun (it tolerates part shade if needed) in a spot with fast or medium drainage - it thrives in rocky, well-draining soil and tolerates both heavy and sandy soils equally well. North-facing slopes are ideal, especially in the Bay Area's drier regions. Space it with room to grow, as it will reach 10 feet tall and develop into a substantial evergreen shrub.
After Planting
Water weekly during your plant's first summer to establish it, then drastically cut back - after year one, avoid direct summer water entirely and limit irrigation to once a month or less during the hottest months. The plant's biggest threat is overwatering, particularly in summer; if you can position it where its roots can reach a damper or irrigated area 10 feet away, it will be much happier. Expect blue or purple flowers in winter and spring, and note that this plant is cold-hardy to 15°F.
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Important year-round nectar resource; supports breeding and winter survival
Seasonal nectar resource during breeding season in arid regions
Insects
Larval host plant for this specialist butterfly species
Important larval host plant supporting multiple broods
Specialist aphid species specific to Ceanothus; important prey base for predatory insects
Larval leaf-mining specialist; multiple generations per year
Larval host plant for this California endemic moth species