Ceanothus velutinus aka Snowbrush Ceanothus

Ceanothus velutinus is an evergreen shrub in the buckthorn family. Its common names include snowbrush, cinnamon bush, and tobacco bush. It grows across western Canada and much of the western United States. Its range reaches east to South Dakota. It lives on hills and mountain slopes, including moist draws. It also spreads across open ground after fire or disturbance.

Snowbrush grows about 2–10 feet [0.6–3 metres] tall. Some plants grow taller, while one garden account gives 6.6 feet [2 metres]. That account gives a similar width. The shrub has a rounded crown but may sprawl. Stout green stems and shoots from the base form dense thickets. Its smooth bark is gray-brown. The thick leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. They are oval, with fine teeth and three main veins. Their upper sides are glossy, dark green, and sticky. Their pale undersides have fine hairs at first. Heat or rubbing releases a strong, sweet scent.

Small white flowers grow in dense clusters above the foliage. These clusters can reach about 0.4 feet [0.13 metres] long. Plants For A Future gives June to July as flowering time. Each flower has both male and female parts, and bees pollinate them. The fruit is a small capsule with three lobes. It holds tiny, dark seeds with hard coats. Fire heat helps the seeds germinate. Seeds can remain in the soil for very long periods.

Grow snowbrush in sun or light shade, with good drainage. It suits sandy or loamy soil, from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. It accepts dry or moist ground and tolerates some lime. It does not thrive on shallow chalk. A deep taproot and spreading roots give it drought resistance. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. Root nodules fix nitrogen and help restore soil after disturbance. Snowbrush suits sunny woodland edges and provides browse for wildlife. Its spread can become weedy, and thickets may decline after 15 years.

People have used its leaves for tea, washes, and poultices. Recorded uses include remedies for coughs, fevers, pain, and skin complaints. These records do not establish that such treatments are safe. The flowers yield green dye, and saponins support soap-making uses. Leaf tea is a limited food use, not a staple. Excess intake may irritate the gut and affect red blood cells. The supplied evidence advises against eating the fruit or seeds.