Ceanothus impressus               Rhamnaceae

Santa Barbara Ceanothus               se-a-NO-thus im-PRES-sus

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m), wider than high, rigid branches, fast growing.  Leaves opposite, simple, very small, about 6 mm, some twice that, round to oblong, margin strongly turned under, generally minutely toothed, glandular or not, wrinkled upper surface, dark green.  Flowers bright, deep blue, in ball-like clusters, 1.0-2.5 cm. Fruit a capusle, generally 4 mm, subglobose, deeply 3-lobed; valves crested.
• Sun, drought tolerant, best if grown with little or no summer water, need good drainage.   Pinch tips to induce bushiness.  Attracts bees.  Several cultivars available.
• Hardy to USDA Zone (7)8         Native to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: northwest corner of sports field behind the Women's Building.