How much sun does Fresno mat need?

Fresno mat grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Fresno mat bloom?

Fresno mat blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Fresno mat native?

Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Fresno mat host?

Fresno mat is a larval host plant for California tortoiseshell.

Fresno mat

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ceanothus rigidus

Last reviewed: November 2026

Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw native bees and butterflies.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Fresno mat, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) 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

24"–72" H × 48"–96" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

Pollinators

native bees, butterflies

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Fresno mat.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

A dense, mounding evergreen shrub with small, rigid, dark green leaves and tight clusters of deep blue-purple flowers in late winter and early spring. Holds a compact, rounded form.

Growing Fresno mat

Grow Fresno mat in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for California tortoiseshell.

An early and abundant nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and its foliage is a larval host plant for the California tortoiseshell butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Fresno mat need?: Fresno mat grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Fresno mat bloom?: Fresno mat blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Fresno mat native?: Fresno mat (Ceanothus rigidus) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Fresno mat host?: Fresno mat is a larval host plant for California tortoiseshell.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Fresno mat? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app