As with other selections or hybrids of this species, plants prefer to be planted in full sun in well-drained soils and are best suited to coastal gardens, where they require little to no water in summer. It is hardy to about 10 degrees F. Although less dramatic in flower than the closely related 'Dark Star' and 'Julia Phelps', its fine texture, compact shape, and lighter blue flowers make ‘Vandenberg’ a solid addition to the stable of wild lilacs.

Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' was selected by M. Nevin Smith in the 1982 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County. There are possibly other so-named plants in the California nursery trade. Monterey Bay Nursery lists a Ceanothus impressus 'Compact Vandenberg' and Native Sons Nursery describes Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' as a selection that Austin Griffith made on Burton Mesa.

The genus name comes from the Greek word keanthos which was used to describe a type of thistle and meaning a "thorny plant" or "spiny plant" and first used by Linnaeus in 1753 to describe New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus. The specific epithet is from the Latin word 'impress' meaning "sunken" or "impressed" in reference to the veins on the leaves. 

Information displayed on this page about Ceanothus impressus 'Vandenberg' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.