Ceonothus velutinus, (Tobacco Brush)

Tobacco Brush is known by the common names Red Root, Snowbrush Ceanothus and Tobacco Brush. It is native found primarily in Sierras and Modoc regions in several habitat types including coniferous forest, chaparral, and various types of woodland from California to Colorado. It forms colonies of individuals which tangle together to form nearly impenetrable thickets. The aromatic evergreen leaves are alternately arranged, with plentiful long clusters of white flowers. The fruit is a three-lobed capsule a few millimeters long which snaps open explosively to expel the three seeds onto the soil. Like most other Ceanothus, this species fixes nitrogen via actinomycetes on its roots.

• Size (10yr): 3–5 ft tall, 4–6 ft wide
• Form: Dense, rounded shrub
• Zone: 5–9
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• Bloom: Late spring to early summer; white to light blue clusters of flowers
• Dormancy: Deciduous

Learn more about this species here