How much sun does Lemmon's ceanothus need?

Lemmon's ceanothus grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Lemmon's ceanothus bloom?

Lemmon's ceanothus blooms in April and May.

Where is Lemmon's ceanothus native?

Lemmon's ceanothus (Ceanothus lemmonii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Lemmon's ceanothus host?

Lemmon's ceanothus is a larval host plant for California tortoiseshell.

Lemmon's ceanothus

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ceanothus lemmonii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Lemmon's ceanothus (Ceanothus lemmonii) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Lemmon's ceanothus (Ceanothus lemmonii) 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

part sun

Water

low

Size

24"–60" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

Low, mounding evergreen shrub with small glossy leaves and rounded clusters of pale to medium blue flowers in mid-spring, growing on dry forested slopes and openings.

Growing Lemmon's ceanothus

Grow Lemmon's ceanothus in part sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for California tortoiseshell.

Spring flowers are a strong nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and the foliage serves as a larval host for the California tortoiseshell butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Lemmon's ceanothus need?: Lemmon's ceanothus grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Lemmon's ceanothus bloom?: Lemmon's ceanothus blooms in April and May.
Where is Lemmon's ceanothus native?: Lemmon's ceanothus (Ceanothus lemmonii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Lemmon's ceanothus host?: Lemmon'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.

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