Plant Details

Yankee Point Ceanothus

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Yankee Point'

Also called: California Lilac | Carmel Ceanothus

A beloved California classic, 'Yankee Point' is an exceptionally versatile evergreen groundcover. It features glossy, deep green leaves that look polished year-round and explodes into a sea of powder-blue flower clusters in the spring. It is famous for its ability to quickly cover banks and slopes with a lush, billowing carpet of foliage.

Flowering Winter interest Salt tolerant Heat tolerant Cold tolerant Fragrant California native Hummingbird friendly Bee friendly Butterfly friendly Deer resistant Clay tolerant Beginner friendly Drought tolerant

Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Yankee Point' illustration

No image available

Plant Snapshot

TypeGroundcover | Woody | Perennial | Evergreen

Growth habitMounding | Spreading

Use categoriesBird Habitat | Groundcover | Native Garden | Ornamental | Pollinator Plant

SettingOutdoor

Growth rateFast

Mature size classMedium

Bloom colorBlue, Lavender

Bloom seasonSpring

HardinessZones 8a-10b

Size24-36 in tall | 96-144 in wide

Life expectancy15 years

Size noteStays low at about 2-3 feet tall but can spread up to 12 feet wide over time.

Spacing72-120 in apart

Spacing noteSpace wide to allow for its significant spread; 6-10 feet apart is ideal for mass coverage.

Growth Conditions

LightFull Sun

WaterLow

SoilAverage | Clay | Rocky | Sandy

DrainageWell-Drained

Leaf notesRich, dark glossy green oval leaves.

Pruning notePrune lightly after flowering to maintain shape. Avoid cutting into old wood as it may not sprout back.

Feeding noteGenerally unnecessary; Ceanothus fix their own nitrogen. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Propagation noteBest from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer.

Seasonal Timing

Bloom timing

Spring

Profuse clusters of light blue flowers.

Pruning window

Late spring

Prune right after the flowers fade.

Cautions

Pests

Aphids

Common on new growth in spring.

Scale

Can occasionally occur in poorly ventilated areas.

Pet safetyNon-toxic to dogs and cats

Allergy notePollen may be a mild irritant during peak bloom.

Health noteNot listed yet.

Sources

Calscape - Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis 'Yankee Point'
Excellent resource for California native specific care.

Places that sell it

Annie's Annuals & Perennials
Often carries 4-inch and 1-gallon pots.

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