Ceanothus rigidus ‘Snowball’, White Monterey Lilac

A rare plant from the Monterey area, Ceanothus Snowball is a low evergreen shrub with small, dark green, holly-like leaves that stays under 3 feet in height and can get 3–6 feet wide. It will be covered with ball-like clusters of white flowers in late winter.

Ceanothus rigidus is a good selection for a dry sunny hillside or as a cascading plant atop a wall. It prefers sun in coastal sites, afternoon shade in inland sites, and occasional to no summer water once established. Excellent for a tough, rocky slope where not many other things will grow. Chamise, sagebrush, penstemon, and monkeyflower are all good companions for this shrub.

Ceanothus rigidus is primarily available in nurseries as cultivars, the two most common of which are Ceanothus rigidus ‘Snowball’, and Ceanothus rigidus ‘Sierra Snow’. Both have profuse white flowers, and a dense form with arching branches. The Snowball variety ranges from 4-5 high and 8 feet wide, and Sierra Snow ranges from 5-6 feet high and 10-15 feet wide. Both are relatively easy to grow in the natural coastal range.