Ceanothus aka Ceanothus

Ceanothus is a genus of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family, native to North America with the highest diversity on the western coast. Commonly known as buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush, or just ceanothus, these plants are characterized by their upright, bushy, woody evergreen shrub form. Most species are shrubs, but some can grow into small multi-trunked trees. The leaves of Ceanothus are small, oblong-shaped, and variegated in dark and pale green. In late spring and early summer, clusters of pale blue, fragrant flowers adorn the plant. One specific variety, Ceanothus 'El Dorado', is a spreading evergreen shrub with glossy variegated leaves featuring a dark center and yellow edge. It blooms with blue fragrant flowers in spring and is ideal for hedging and screening. This low maintenance shrub thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers fertile, well-draining soils. While it may be susceptible to damage in strong winds, it responds well to heavy regenerative pruning.