#APRAZKA Ceanothus, or California lilac, is a vibrant, attractive flowering shrub native to North America and found across the west growing wild. One of the facts on California lilac is that it is not a true lilac in the genus Syringa, but it does produce amazingly fragrant blooms from late spring into early summer. In most regions, this plant is easy to grow and trouble free. Read on to learn where to plant California lilac and what special care needs this lovely plant requires. California Lilac Information California lilac comes in several forms for use in the landscape. Some are upright bushes reaching 8 or 9 feet (2 to 2.5 m.) in height while others are compact, low growing groundcovers that seldom reach more than 6 inches (15 cm.) in height. Plants are evergreen and have small to medium glossy green leaves which accent the bright to light blue flowers. You can see California lilac growing wild in Oregon, California and Washington, and some species are found as far as Guatemala. There are 12 species of Ceanothus native to the Pacific Northwest. These plants prefer dry soil in full sun to achieve the best blooms. Deer are especially fond of California lilac, so protection is required if you live in an area with these browsing animals. Ceanothus leaves are characterized by three parallel leaf veins on their shiny foliage. Larger foliaged plants have entire margins while the small leaved bushes have toothed, almost holly-like leaves. Among the important facts on California lilac is its ability to fix nitrogen in soil, which is a win-win for the home gardener and in nature. The flowers are the real showstopper. Most are in terminal clusters of deep blue, but some forms bear lighter blue, lavender or even white flowers.