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Close-up of the white flowering branches of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Evergreen branches and leaves of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the buds of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the leathery evergreen leaves of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of an extraordinary cluster of white flowers of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of an extraordinary cluster of white flowers of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Bright green leaves and cluster of showy white flowers of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of the approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Mature growth habit of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus) along a forest edge. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Wild population of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Wild population of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Wild population of snowbrush, mountain balm, tobacco plant (Ceonothus velutinus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Snowbrush

Ceanothus velutinus

Snowbrush, also known as mountain balm or tobacco brush, is a large evergreen shrub with tremendous habitat value. In early spring, its oval-shaped, bright green leaves become shiny and sticky with a delightfully fragrant resin. By late spring or early summer, the bush becomes heavily laden with equally fragrant plumes of white flower clusters that are a rich nectar source for hummingbirds and countless species of insect pollinators. But snowbrushes' seeds are perhaps most impressive of all, capable of remaining viable in the soil seed bank for 200+ years - now that's planting for the future! It's ideal for tough, dry slopes that have excellent drainage and often colonizes burned areas because its seeds are not only fire-resistant, but often require fire to germinate.  

  • Plant type/canopy layer: evergreen, perennial, large shrub
  • Size at maturity: 5-15' tall, 8-12’ wide  
  • Light requirements: full to mostly sunny
  • Moisture requirements: dry to seasonally moist soil, must be well-drained
  • Bloom time: May - Aug
  • Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, moderately difficult to grow
  • Wildlife support: leaves are a caterpillar and larval food source for many species of native butterflies and moths; flowers are a nectar source for hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees, other insect pollinators; seeds are eaten by songbirds and small mammals; overall plant is host to several species of native butterflies and moths, such as Elegant Sheepmoth, attracts and supports beneficial and pest eating insects and is a food source for deer and elk.
  • Native habitat/range: grows in openings and edges of coniferous forest, other types of woodlands and chaparral across the Pacific Northwest from southwestern British Columbia to northern California, though it is not found in some coastal areas nor much of central Washington. It is particularly abundant in the Cascades, Coast Ranges, Sierras, and Klamath region. Portland Plant List - yes.  
  • Special features & uses: evergreen; pollinator and wildlife favorite; highly drought-tolerant; nitrogen-fixing; used by native people as a cleansing solution, hair wash for dandruff, and medicinally for skin ailments, diaper rash, and arthritis; landscape uses include pollinator garden, habitat hedgerows and screens, rock garden, woodland garden openings and edges and erosion control on slopes. 

Gardening with Snowbrush: This spectacular shrub prefers full sun and well-drained soils, especially disturbed sites, habitat hedgerows and exposed slopes where its deep nitrogen-fixing roots can control erosion and restore soil health. 100% subjectively, this species of Ceanothus has a more attractive mature form than its blue blossoming cousin - especially if the tips are periodically pruned to mimic being browsed by deer and elk. Plus it's locally native (if you're in the Portland-Vancouver metro area). That said, it is more difficult to establish and slower growing. So your best bet is to plant more than one, expecting you will not have a 100% success rate (this is the reality of gardening with trickier native plants, particularly on highly-disturbed sub/urban landscape). Water sparingly while it's becoming established and then rarely or never after that because excess water can cause disease and weaken the plant. Once established, give yourself a gold star and don't try to move it.  

Companion Plants: Try it in the understory/edges of maples (Acer spp.), alders (Alnus spp.), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) or Oregon white oak along with manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) and tall Oregon grape (Mahonia/Berberis aquifolium)

Photo Credit 1 (flowering branches, square): © Bob Walker, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 2 (leaves of branches): © Jacy Chen, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 3 (buds): © joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 4 (leaves closeup): © David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 5, 6 & 11 (flower closeups, with blue sky): © Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 7 (flowering branches): © Daniel Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 8 (along a path): © John Brew, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 9 (wild habit): © Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC-BY)

Photo Credit 10 (wild hedge): © Kieran Hanrahan, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

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