Ceanothus - Concha

Deep blue flower clusters turn the arching branches of ‘Concha’ into a spring gathering place for bees and butterflies. This California lilac pairs its seasonal color with small, glossy, dark green leaves that keep the shrub handsome after flowering. The reddish-purple buds add another layer of color as they open, making a branch worth admiring as closely as the whole plant. Allow room for a broad, evergreen shrub, typically about 5–7 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide, with size varying by site. Its naturally rounded outline works beautifully as a specimen, an informal screen, or part of a roomy native planting. Tuck lower plants around the outside of its mature spread rather than crowding the base. Among our California lilacs, ‘Concha’ offers a particularly useful combination of rich flower color and adaptable garden performance. Choose full sun and soil that drains well. Water during establishment, then reduce irrigation substantially; established plants generally need little supplemental water. ‘Concha’ tolerates heavier soils and occasional summer watering better than many ceanothus, but a constantly wet root zone is still unsuitable. It is generally grown in USDA Zones 7–10. Preserve its graceful branching with light shaping after flowering rather than repeated shearing, and enjoy the insect activity around its fragrant spring bloom.