Snowbrush ceanothus

Ceanothus velutinus

Evergreen shrub reaching 2-9 ft. tall with cream-white fragrant flower clusters, blooming May to September. Prefers well-drained soils on dry to moist mountain slopes, shrublands and open forests; up to 11,000 ft. elevation. Often common, occurring in ponderosa pine and mountain brush communities, regularly forming large colonies after disturbance such as wildfire or timber harvest. Vigorous sprouter, but also establishes by seed and layering, when branches take root after soil contact. Year-round browse in forested areas for deer, elk and moose. Provides nesting and cover for small birds and mammals. Nectar source for Johnson’s hairstreak butterfly.