(New Jersey Tea) This native shrub is commonly known as New Jersey Tea or California Lilac.  Marie Bleu™ gives us a truly garden worthy Ceanothus hybrid that combines strong growth, dark green leaves, hardiness, and unusual lavender blue flowers.  Lavender blue flowers?  That's right Marie Bleu™ is a great flowering shrub with loads of misty lavender blue flower heads that cover this compact plant in late spring.  Then shear lightly after blooming to promote a stronger re-bloom in the summer.  Adding to the attraction of lavender blue flowers, in the late summer red seed head capsules create additional garden interest.  Semi-evergreen in the southern states.  Dies back to the ground in the northern states (roots are hardy). Introduction Year: 2009 Patent Strings: Marie Bleu™ Ceanothus x pallidus 'Minmari' PPAF