Snowbrush Ceanothus
- Current Stock:
- 0
- Other Names:
- Red Root, Mountain Balm, Buckbush, Snowbrush, Tobacco-brush, Sticky Laurel
- Latin Name:
- Ceanothus velutinus
Snowbrush Ceanothus is an evergreen, nitrogen-fixing shrub that is native to the Pacific Northwest.
NOTE: The leaves of Snowbrush naturally look curled, and sometimes ratty. They dry out and crack off easily.
Medicinal Qualities
A boil of this plant is used to induce sweating as a treatment for colds and fevers. The inner root bark is used as a medicine for treating lymphatic disorders, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors, and tonsillitis. Clinical studies of the alkaloid compounds in C. velutinus has verified its effectiveness in treating high blood pressure and lymphatic blockages.
Ornamental Qualities
Shiny evergreen leaves and fragrant beautiful flowers makes Snowbrush Ceanothus an excellent choice for the native home garden. Consider this plant for corners, edges, or to maintain winter color underneath deciduous trees. Or even as a center piece to show off it's eye-catching flowers.
Environment and Culture
Snowbrush Ceanothus can be found growing in woodland, coniferous forest, chaparral, and various types of woodland across the Pacific Northwest, most commonly at mid elevation. Its ability to grow quickly in poor or damaged soils while fixing nitrogen makes the Snowbrush Ceanothus a powerful champion of soil restoration. Consider planting as an understory plant with the California Black Oak, Oregon White Oak, and/or the California Foothill Pine.
Northwest Native American tribes today still value this special plant as medicine and family. Despite great cultural losses, they continue to work towards stewarding and restoring wild populations, both strengthening the integrity of the ecology and sustaining their cultural heritage and wisdom. These strong and recovering peoples and plants deserve our respect, gratitude, and reparations. (Learn more & how to help on our Charitable Giving page.)
Care
The Snowbrush Ceanothus needs very little care. Once established it will grow quickly even in very poor soils, slowly spreading from it's original location. Extremely hardy and drought tolerant, they do not need any summer watering or soil amendments once established.
Native Range: CA, OR, WA, ID, WY, NV, UT, BC
USDA zones: 7-10
Ease of Care: Very Easy
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Light Requirements: Full Sun-Part Shade
Soil Type: Light-Medium
Water Requirements: Dry-Moist
Pollination: Self Fertile
Bearing Age: N/A
Size at Maturity: 2-10ft
Bloom Time: Early Summer
Harvest Time: N/A/
Pot Sizing Guide
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