Ceanothus gloriosus ‘Emily Brown’, Emily Brown Lilac

One of the earliest blooming California lilacs, Emily Brown makes a low, spreading, evergreen shrub 2–3 ft. tall and 4–8 ft. wide. It has deep green holly-like leaves and puts on a show of purple-blue flowers in spring.

It is a coastal plant and grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. It needs some shade inland—in the interior heat it loses its form and becomes leggy. The flower display is at its best near the coast, also. It is very garden tolerant—much more so than other ceanothus species, and doesn’t need water once established. A good choice for a coastal slope planting as it tolerates full or part sun. Regular pruning is not necessary, but feel free to shape it each summer to encourage full, compact growth.

Emily Brown is fairly deer resistant due to the prickly leaves. It provides seeds that are eaten by bushtits, mockingbirds, quail and finches, as well as providing cover for birds. All ceanothus species are important bee resources due to their early bloom time when solitary bees are emerging from their nests and in need of nectar and pollen.

It is also known as Navarro Ceanothus.