Skylark California Lilac

Skylark is a compact evergreen California lilac with glossy, dark-green leaves and deep-blue flower clusters in late spring and early summer. Its dense habit suits mixed borders, coastal gardens, and informal hedging, while its flowering period provides nectar for pollinating insects. [The Watershed Nursery](https://www.watershednursery.com/nursery/plant-finder/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-skylark/) describes this selection as about 4–5 feet tall and 6–7 feet wide; the [Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/236885/ceanothus-skylark/details/) gives a broader mature spread range. ## Growing conditions Give Skylark full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates drought after establishment, though prolonged winter drought may require supplemental water. The Watershed Nursery notes tolerance of heavier soil, while the RHS recommends fertile, well-drained ground and shelter from strong cold winds. ## Maintenance Prune after flowering when shaping is needed, and avoid severe late-season cuts that remove the next display. Leave room for a wider mature form where local growing conditions support it, and water young plants as they establish.