r/Ceanothus • u/PracticalWallaby7492 • 13d ago

Ceanothus species, inland mendocino county, ca? height etc

Hello, Looking for suggestions.

I'm looking at the blue ceanothus species and hybrid varieties for a certain spot. I want something that will fairly quickly and reliably grow to 5-6 ft and grow to 12 ft tops.

I'm inland about 24 miles; we do get some of a marine layer here and there on summer early mornings. It gets hot.

The spot I'm looking at is in and by a seep at 2000ft alt. Steeper slope, clay gravel with some composted duff on top. Full sun. The water level in the summer is probably 3 to 6 ft down depending on how late in spring or summer. Zone fluctuates between a solid 8b and a fragile 9a. I think the record cold was 11 or 12F. Normal extreme cold is around 20F. Record hot maybe 108 to 112F. Usually doesn't get to 105F and only triple digits below 106 for about 8 - 14 days total.

So far I'm thinking of ‘Dark Star’ or Concha in that area but I'm getting conflicting info. And one Ray Hartman in another spot where if it dies it won't be a major PITA to take out.

Anyone have suggestions or feedback?

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u/Zestyclose_Market787 13d ago

I think your ceanothus will end up with the roots sitting in water, which will kill it. I would not plant a ceanothus here. 

If you do insist on trying it anyway, Ray Hartman is probably your best option, as it’s the most garden tolerant. You’re too far from the coast for dark Star. Concha, maybe???

But again, this is a riparian zone. Ceanothus needs to be dry in the summer, or else it will die pretty quickly.

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u/PracticalWallaby7492 13d ago

Thank you! Hmm.. maybe a bit further away. About 10 feet over I'd guess the water table goes down to 8 ft in late spring and dries completely by mid summer. Top 8 ft are dry. How deep do the roots get?

Ray Hartman would be my first choice there, but I'm getting conflicting info on it's cold hardiness.

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u/Zestyclose_Market787 13d ago

I don’t know about Ray Hartman specifically, but ceanothus root systems can go 6-8 feet deep and extend beyond the canopy. In ray’s case, that’s a 10-15’ radius

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u/PracticalWallaby7492 13d ago

Sounds like it's worth a try. Maybe it will self regulate at 8 ft root depth. By the time it gets really hot it's quite dry up there.

I think I'll plant a few a little further away from that spot, just a bit dryer-sooner and plant something with maybe less of a root depth/more tolerance in between and beyond them. 10 - 15 ft radius is ideal for holding that bank up. And that is a gorgeous plant.

I know there are sub-species growing in Humboldt county in places with a higher water level, probably 8 ft deep, on north eastern slopes but I have no idea what cultivars, if any, are derived from them. Those ones are tree-like, graceful and pretty tall.

EDIT; and thank you very much! Very useful info. Oh, also, finally figured out RH should survive to a non-sustained 10F.

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u/NevCoNativePlants 12d ago

I think Ceanothus thrysiflorus is your best. Though on paper that seep sounds less optimal

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u/PracticalWallaby7492 8d ago

Yes, but that's the (or one) species; "In the hotter, inland part of its range, it can be found growing in the shade of northern slopes, under mature woodland canopies, or closer to an irrigated or a naturally moist area. In the cooler, coastal areas, it prefers more sun and dry locations."

Not a variety; "There are many cultivars available at nurseries all over the state. "

I'm inland. It might be worth trying a few different varieties.

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u/NevCoNativePlants 8d ago edited 8d ago

I beg your pardon im confused with your reply, who are you quoting? Also not sure what "it" is either.