Catalina mountain-lilac
Ceanothus arboreus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Catalina mountain-lilac (Ceanothus arboreus) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.
Toxicity unknown
Catalina mountain-lilac (Ceanothus arboreus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
120"–300" H × 120"–240" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr
Native to
CA
Pollinators
native bees, butterflies, syrphid flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large, fast-growing evergreen shrub with big, glossy leaves and dense, fragrant clusters of powder-blue flowers in late winter and early spring. It grows into a broad, rounded form and tolerates coastal conditions well.
Growing Catalina mountain-lilac
Grow Catalina mountain-lilac in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 300 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its abundant flowers are a major nectar and pollen source for native bees, syrphid flies and butterflies in late winter when few other plants bloom.
Common questions
- How much sun does Catalina mountain-lilac need?
- Catalina mountain-lilac grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Catalina mountain-lilac bloom?
- Catalina mountain-lilac blooms in February, March, and April.
- Where is Catalina mountain-lilac native?
- Catalina mountain-lilac (Ceanothus arboreus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Catalina mountain-lilac attract?
- Catalina mountain-lilac draws native bees, butterflies, and syrphid flies.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Catalina mountain-lilac? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.