Anchor Bay Ceanothus

Anchor Bay Ceanothus (Ceanothus gloriosus 'Anchor Bay') is a stunning California native groundcover celebrated for its dense, low-spreading habit and spectacular spring display of rich lavender-blue flower clusters that blanket the plant from late winter through spring. One of the most floriferous and garden-worthy selections of wild lilac, 'Anchor Bay' hugs the ground in a tight, weed-suppressing mat of deep glossy green, leathery leaves — making it as functional as it is beautiful. Native to the coastal bluffs and headlands of Marin County, this selection brings rugged coastal beauty and unmatched ecological value to California and Pacific Coast gardens.

These Professional Grade 4" plants are grown to the highest nursery standards, producing well-developed root systems that establish quickly and spread reliably to fill slopes, banks, and open garden areas. Anchor Bay Ceanothus thrives in full sun to light shade with fast-draining soil and is exceptionally drought tolerant once established — a cornerstone plant for water-wise, fire-wise, and habitat-focused landscapes. It performs best when planted in fall or early spring and given minimal supplemental irrigation once roots are set.

• Breathtaking Spring Flower Display: Dense clusters of rich lavender-blue flowers smother the plant in late winter to spring, creating one of the most spectacular native wildflower displays available for California gardens.
• Outstanding California Native Groundcover: Low-spreading habit forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat ideal for slopes, hillsides, erosion-prone banks, and open garden beds.
• Exceptional Drought Tolerance: A true California drought-tolerant native, thriving on natural rainfall alone once established — perfect for water-wise and low-irrigation landscapes.
• Critical Wildlife Habitat Plant: Flowers provide essential early-season nectar for native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators; dense foliage offers shelter for birds and beneficial insects.
• Fire-Wise & Low Maintenance: Once established, requires little to no supplemental care — no fertilizer, minimal pruning, and excellent adaptability to poor, rocky, or sandy soils.

These 4" healthy live plants thrive in full sun to partial shade with fast-draining, low-fertility soil. Water regularly the first season to establish, then reduce to little or no supplemental irrigation. Hardy in USDA Zones 8–10; mature height 2–3 feet with a spread of 6–8 feet. Bloom time is late winter to mid-spring (February–April). Avoid summer irrigation once established to prevent root rot. An exceptional choice for native gardens, slopes, and erosion control.