This particular plant is in the corner of a junction and see lots of sun so I'm surprised that it can handle sun, not what I have read about it preferring part shade.

You probably read about trying to grow it away from the outer coast in California

embo .... what variables change as location changes????

In the PNW, this is definitely a full sun groundcover! Like many California coastal natives...and not just the CA natives.....it dislikes intense heat, which is more likely to occur in inland locations, hence the need for some shade. Intense heat will never be a factor in the PNW and I have never seen this plant thrive outside of a full sun location here.

Much of California is hotter than Hell (100s F.) in summer east of the outermost coastal fringe*, hence the chronic problem with dangerous fires. With a number of the native species - including various ceanothus - growing only close to the ocean in nature. Even a lot of the redwood area has a hot summer, with fog drip being a large part of what makes it possible for these giant trees to live there.

*Death Valley is located in California