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Key characteristics

Family: Rhamnaceae
Height: 6 to 8 feet
Width: 8 to 10 feet
Flower color: Deep cobalt-blue
Foliage color: Small, dark green leaves with a slightly textured surface
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: Low
Maintenance: Low; occasional pruning to shape after flowering and remove dead branches
Growing zone: USDA zones 8 to 10
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; provides habitat for birds

Shrubs

Ceanothus 'Dark Star'

Dark Star California Lilac

Ceanothus 'Dark Star' is a dense, evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant display of deep cobalt-blue flowers. Blooming in mid to late spring, its tightly packed flower clusters create a vivid contrast against the plant's small, dark green leaves. The textured foliage and abundant blossoms make it an excellent choice for adding color and texture to a garden.

A California native selection, 'Dark Star' is a cultivar developed to thrive in Mediterranean climates, reflecting the rugged beauty of its natural coastal origins.

Light

Full sun to light shade

Water

Low

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Mediterranean Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Oleaster · Mexican orange blossom · Sneezeweed · Black-eyed Susan · Sea thrift · Common sage

Design tip

Deep cobalt-blue flowers have enough visual strength to become a destination in the garden rather than simply blending into a planting. Position this broad shrub where a path or sightline naturally ends, creating a dramatic spring focal point that remains quietly structured afterward.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)