# @ahs_gardening on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DcbznG4IIOy
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69719711-ahs-gardening-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/bc3f07f957.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-24T19:24:17.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Horticultural Society | American Gardener Magazine (@ahs_gardening) — https://gondola.cc/ahs_gardening

## Caption

*NATIVE PLANT OF THE WEEK*⁠
Blueblossom Ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Zones 7–11)⁠
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This handsome evergreen shrub needs Mediterranean climate conditions to grow successfully. Even then, it is naturally short-lived, lasting 20 to 25 years, but it will reward lucky gardeners with a profusion of blue flowers in spring that draws a variety of pollinators. It’s also known as California lilac and mountain lilac, although it is not related to lilac (Syringa spp.).⁠
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Native to canyons, scrublands, and coniferous forests in coastal California and Oregon.⁠
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At a Glance⁠
• Grows quickly to 6 to 20 feet tall⁠
• Small flowers grow in many 3-inch clusters, mainly blue but sometimes white⁠
• Blooms April–June⁠
• Flowers have a mild honeylike fragrance⁠
• Shiny oval, evergreen leaves with toothed edges⁠
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Why Grow It⁠
• Flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators⁠
• Fruits provide seeds for birds⁠
• Fixes nitrogen in soil⁠
• Drought tolerant⁠
• Low maintenance and not generally bothered by pests or diseases, although deer may occasionally browse⁠
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Growing It⁠
• Full sun to part shade⁠
• Very well-drained, lean soil⁠
• Dry climates; doesn’t tolerate summer humidity ⁠
• Doesn’t need supplemental watering once established⁠
• Doesn’t need fertilizing⁠
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Design Tips⁠
• Great addition to a wildlife or pollinator garden⁠
* Makes an attractive informal hedge⁠
* Plant on slopes where erosion control is needed⁠
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Fun Fact⁠
Native Americans traditionally used the flowers, which contain saponins, as soap. Rubbing the flowers in water creates a lather for cleansing skin.⁠
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Photos: All from iNaturalist⁠
Closeup of flowers: Chris Evers⁠
By beach: Michael Hogan⁠
Habit: Nancy Fox⁠
Flowers: sunny1az⁠
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#nativeplants⁠
#pollinatorplants⁠
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## Tags

pollinatorplants, nativeplants

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