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Products > Ceanothus 'Wheeler Canyon'   Ceanothus 'Wheeler Canyon' - Wild Lilac Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.   [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorns) Origin: California (U.S.A.) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Dark Blue Bloomtime: Spring Parentage: (Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus hybrid) Height: 4-6 feet Width: 6-8 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Ceanothus 'Wheeler Canyon' (Wheeler Canyon Ceanothus) – A broadly vase-shaped, evergreen shrub 4 to 6 feet tall with a 4 to 8 foot spread. Its narrow, inch-long, glossy leaves have a crinkled texture and the 2-inch long clusters of rich blue flowers emerge from burgundy-colored buds and bracts in early spring. Best suited to coastal conditions but can also be grown in warmer inland sites when given periodic deep watering in summer. Plant in full sun to light shade in well-drained soil. Hardy to 15 degrees F. ‘Wheeler Canyon’ is effective on banks and slopes, as a backdrop in mixed borders, or as an informal hedge. The original plant was discovered along the roadside in Wheeler Gorge, Ventura County, by Horticulturist Dara Emery of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. It was introduced by the garden in the early 1980s. It is thought to be a Ceanothus papillosus var. roweanus hybrid. 'Wheeler Canyon' and 'Concha' are easily confused but 'Wheeler Canyon' has lighter blue flowers, a slightly broader leaf, smaller overall size, and perhaps greater cold tolerance. We grew this plant from 1982 until 2014. More information on this plant can be found on the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's Plant Introduction Page.  Information displayed on this page about  Ceanothus 'Wheeler Canyon' is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.     [MORE INFO]