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Greenbark ceanothus

Ceanothus spinosus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus)
Photo: (c) Ike Ikemori, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus) 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"–240" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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A large, fast-growing evergreen shrub that can be trained as a small tree, with pale blue-white flower clusters covering the canopy in spring. Older plants can become open and leggy at the base without occasional pruning.

Wildlife value

Host plant for ceanothus silk moth.

The heavy spring bloom is a magnet for native bees, and the foliage hosts the large ceanothus silk moth.

Common questions

How much sun does Greenbark ceanothus need?
Greenbark ceanothus grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Greenbark ceanothus bloom?
Greenbark ceanothus blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Greenbark ceanothus native?
Greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Greenbark ceanothus host?
Greenbark ceanothus is a larval host plant for ceanothus silk moth.

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 Greenbark ceanothus? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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