Plant Database
Cliff Schmidt California Tree Lilac
Ceanothus arboreus ‘Cliff Schmidt’
Ceanothus arboreus 'Cliff Schmidt', commonly known as Cliff Schmidt California Tree Lilac or Feltleaf Ceanothus, is a spectacular, fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree—one of the tallest species in the Ceanothus genus. Native to the California coast, it forms a vigorous, upright framework with glossy, dark green leaves that are notably felted and white-undersided, providing year-round texture and interest. In spring, it erupts in an unforgettable display of fragrant, powder-blue flower clusters that blanket the plant like a soft, hazy cloud, creating a breathtaking seasonal spectacle. Exceptionally drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance, it is an outstanding choice for slopes, coastal gardens, pollinator habitats, and water-wise landscapes where it can be grown as a specimen or pruned into a dense hedge or screen.