Monterey Ceanothus (Ceanothus rigidus previously called Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus) is a rare native shrub that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Central Coast and SF Bay regions. It tends to grow in dry fans, slopes and ridges, at elevations from 0-5900 feet.
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 former of 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 of the straight Ceanothus rigidus species.