On 3/24/2008 9:21 AM, waggie31 wrote:
hi there, could anyone tell me when this buds up, i have one in my
garden which looks dead.
thanks

"California lilac" (genus Ceanothus) is not a true lilac (genus
Syringa). Sunset describes Ceanothus as evergreen, which means yours is
likely dead. However, a few species do drop their leaves in especially
cold weather.

Instead of trying to break a branch, scrape a branch with a fingernail.
If you see green, it's still alive.

Sunset also mentions that Ceanothus is not a long-lived plant. "5 to 10
years is typical."

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/