Hearst's ceanothus
Ceanothus hearstiorum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Hearst's ceanothus (Ceanothus hearstiorum) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw native bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Hearst's ceanothus (Ceanothus hearstiorum) 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
6"–12" H × 60"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
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 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 very low, spreading evergreen groundcover shrub with small crinkled leaves that hugs the ground and roots as it spreads. Deep blue flower clusters cover the mat in spring. Naturally rare, it is grown from cutting-propagated nursery stock.
Growing Hearst's ceanothus
Grow Hearst's ceanothus in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for California tortoiseshell.
Its dense spring bloom draws native bees and butterflies, and the foliage serves as a larval host plant for the California tortoiseshell butterfly.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hearst's ceanothus need?
- Hearst's ceanothus grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hearst's ceanothus bloom?
- Hearst's ceanothus blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Hearst's ceanothus native?
- Hearst's ceanothus (Ceanothus hearstiorum) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Hearst's ceanothus host?
- Hearst's ceanothus 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.
- 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 Hearst's ceanothus? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.