Any chance it's one of the purple lavateras, like Lavatera assurgentifolia? The flowers aren't that small though.

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Or a desert willow, Chilopsis linearis?

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It's probably a variety of Ceanothus, of which there are many.... aka CA Wild Lilac.

In my county the freeway landscape crews plant echium (looks like a yucca but soft, with big purple-blue spikes, needs no summer water, goes to seed easily) near the coast, and "cape plumbago" (check SWB on the two different plumbagoes) (bright green foliage, light blue flowers, needs irrigation) inland.

Hello again. I finally got a couple of photo of this tree. The blooms don't look purple in these pix, but trust me, they are. I don't know what word would describe this shade, but it has more red or pink than the photos I've seen posted in this thread. Click below to see the photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:532525}}

Possibly Tamarix?

See link...

Here is a link that might be useful: Tamarix (Salt Cedar)

Looks just like a Albizia julibrissin, aka "Mimosa", aka "Persian Silk Tree"/

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I'd also guess that it is most likely a Tamarix species, as the foliage density and form of the trees are a good match.

Well, if it's a Tamarix, I'm sure wrong about it being a native. Those apparently are considered noxious invaders. Too bad, it looks nice from a distance.

It sure looks like tamerix. Unfortunately it grows like crazy along the banks of the creek that runs through our land. If you could get a close-up photo of the foliage, I could tell you for sure. Tamerix has fine lacy foliage.

Yes, tamarix. And it's gone from an ornamental landscape tree to an invasive weed tree.

I'd like to get a close-up but that would require mountain-climbing gear. The slope is really steep and probably crumbly as well.

THAT must be what I've seen blooming up here along creeks in the spring! It truly is stunning when in bloom. Too bad it's invasive, though.

Brenda

I have a question about another purple tree that grows profusely here in La Canada Flintridge. It's in flower right now - looks like a laburnum with purple flowers. It's not laburnocytisus or wisteria. Any ideas?