Greenbark ceanothus
Ceanothus spinosus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.
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
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 460 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 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.
Growing Greenbark ceanothus
Grow Greenbark ceanothus in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 180 inches wide.
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.
- 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 Greenbark ceanothus? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.