Carmel Creeper California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Carmel Creeper')

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Carmel Creeper California Lilac

Ceanothus griseus horizontalis 'Carmel Creeper'

A fast-spreading California native ground cover with profuse, fragrant, light blue spring blooms and exceptional drought tolerance.

$19.90

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Description

Ceanothus griseus horizontalis 'Carmel Creeper' is a vigorous, fast-growing evergreen ground cover prized for its dense, spreading habit and profuse clusters of fragrant, light blue flowers in spring. This California native forms a low, wide carpet of small, oval, leathery, glossy bright green leaves that provide excellent weed suppression and erosion control. In spring, it produces an abundance of small, fluffy, light blue flower clusters that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Exceptionally drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and deer-resistant, it is an outstanding choice for slopes, coastal gardens, banks, and large-scale ground cover plantings.

Quick Facts

Foliage & Flowers: Small, oval, leathery, glossy bright green leaves; small, fragrant, light blue flowers in dense clusters in spring.
Mature Height: 1-2 ft.
Mature Spread: 5-15 ft (spreading).
Growth Rate: Fast.
Hardiness Zones: USDA 8-10; Sunset 5-9, 14-17, 19-24.
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun).
Core Benefits: Fast-spreading ground cover, profuse fragrant blue spring blooms, exceptionally drought tolerant, deer resistant, low maintenance, erosion control.
Best Uses: Slopes, coastal gardens, banks (erosion control), large-scale ground cover, native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, water-wise

Faqs

Q: How large does Carmel Creeper California Lilac get?
A: It is a low, wide-spreading ground cover, typically reaching 1-2 feet in height and 5-15 feet in spread at maturity.

Q: When does it bloom?
A: It blooms in spring, producing an abundance of fragrant, light blue flower clusters that are highly attractive to pollinators.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant. Water regularly during its first year, then little to no supplemental water is needed. It thrives in well-drained soils.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes, it is generally resistant to deer.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: For the most abundant flowering, plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily). It will tolerate partial shade but will flower less.

Q: Is it a good choice for slopes?
A: Yes, its fast-spreading, mat-forming habit and dense root system make it excellent for erosion control on slopes and banks.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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