Ceanothus — Victoria — produces blue flowers spring into summer

Best of the native shrubs for longlasting spring color.

Ceanothus, or California lilac, is not actually a lilac at all. The flowers slightly resemble our perennial favorite spring bloomer, but this native of the woods of northern California and southern Oregon has its own distinctive presence. Known for its sometime electric blue blooms, which emerge from late May through summer, this unusual species has become a favorite in our Pacific Northwest gardens. Here’s an almost prostrate rendering, a contorted spine overarching the branches giving a full and wizened aspect to this vibrant and vigorous specimen. A container from Bruning pottery studio completes the composition.  $260