WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97317-9216

E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
Phone: 503-581-2638; Fax: 503-549-8739

Click here for Home Page: www.nwplants.com

For information about Wallace W Hansen Northwest Native Plant Nursery & Gardens: Business Information (Ordering, etc.)

Updated March 26, 2008

CEANOTHUS

Ceanothus cuneatus (Buckbrush, Wild Lilac or Wedgeleaf)

Ceanothus thrysiflorus

(Blueblossom)

A must-have for every garden!

Photo by Jennifer Rehm

If you have any information about this species – stories, climates, uses, propagation, etc. please contact me at nwplants@gmail.com. If I publish your tips and information, I will credit you on the web and send you a credit memo.

Descriptions:

Oregon has been favored by nature as the home of several species of ceanothus in both the eastern and western areas of the state. The most familiar is probably the Blue Blossom, Ceanothus thrysiflorus, which is native to the southwest coastal region of Oregon. Although it's most outstanding feature is the true blue flower clusters in April through June, this medium to large shrub is also prized for it's year-round glossy dark green leaves.

More common to eastern Oregon is the Snowbrush, Ceanothus velutinus, a smaller evergreen shrub with glossy aromatic leaves, white spikes of flowers and a welcome ability to withstand the cold.

All across North America we find the Redstem ceanothus, a deciduous that grows smaller than the Blueblossom but slightly larger than the Snowbrush. It's white blossoms April through June, it's fruit in June and July and it's larger leaves are pleasant but it's most outstanding quality are the red stems that show to great advantage in the winter landscape after the leaves have fallen.

All three varieties of ceanothus are growing beautifully in the U.K., China, in fact all around the world in a swath approximately the 45th parallel.

Blue blossom and Snowbrush leaves are oval-shaped 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, shiny dark green with serrated edges and 3-veined from the base. Leaves of the Redstem variety are larger, grass-green and slightly hairy. Flowers are borne in dense clusters, very blue up to 3 inches long for C. thrysiflorus and white up to 5 inches long in C. velutinus. Redstem flowers are flat clusters approximately 3 inches across and looser than the evergreens. The fruit of all three species is small 3-lobed filed with tiny dark seeds which have a hard coat.

This family of shrubs performs a valuable ecological service in fixing large amounts of nitrogen in the soil. They do this through a symbiotic association with a bacteria which inhabit their roots. This ability is currently being studied as a major player in land reclamation after forest fires.

Generally speaking, most evergreen ceanothus varieties are not sufficiently cold-hardy for the high desert temperatures of Eastern Oregon. However, they are perfectly suited for the milder lower elevations in Eastern Oregon and the Western side of the state. One thing all varieties agree upon is the drought of summer. They must have well-drained soil; standing water will quickly give rise to root-rot. We often see them in soil low in organic matter.

In North America, Redstem is found from the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California to the southern areas of British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. It's range reaches to the east in mountainous sites to western Montana where is has been reported at 2,400 feet. It also occurs in northern Michigan, California to 4,000 feet, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Redstem ceanothus is a prominent component of seral brush field communities as well as those of mixed conifers. In mountain ranges, we see it mostly in areas of Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), mixed conifers and western hemlock. Common companions are ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), grand fir (Abies grandis), Scouler willow (Salix scouleriana), Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), thimbleberry (R. parviflorus), and bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata). In both the Cascade Range and the Rocky Mountains it is found primarily in the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) zone and in parts of the mixed conifer and western hemlock zones.

In the forest succession studies, Redstem ceanothus-ninebark groups are prominent as post fire structural components. is associated with early- or mid-seral stages of forest succession. Redstem ceanothus particularly is prominent colonizer after fire or timber harvest. When the tree canopy becomes denser this shrub is more sparse, often giving way to oceanspray and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) though it's often 15 years before it recedes to the brush field areas.

Uses of Plant:

Landscape: All 3 of the ceanothus under discussion here are excellent landscape plants. Their needs are few: good drainage and occasional rain after they are established. Poor soil is fine with them all, no fertilization required.

Redstem ceanothus is clearly intolerant of shade, but Snowbrush will tolerate partial shade (although it does prefer sun) and Blueblossom is much less particular in this regard. All are excellent both inland and oceanside.

Entrance to the nursery--a Blueblossom honor guard!

Photo by Jennifer Rehm

The beautiful clear blue of Blueblossom, white clusters of blooms for Snowbrush and attractive dark green leaves of both are desirable features. All bloom abundantly at a young age with fragrant blossoms. Ceanothus sanguineus' red stem bunches are excellent winter beauty. All these shrubs are well-behaved: they can be pruned back to limit growth, they allow trimming into rounded or cushion shapes sheared into hedges, but their natural growth habits are not overwhelming. Left to assume their full growth naturally, they are full and pleasant to the eye.

Reclamation uses: Naturally occurring after fires or timber harvest, ceanothus curbs erosion and has the very desirable ability of fixing nitrogen in the soil.

Wildlife habitat: An important food and shelter for many wildlife species, and browse for white-tail and mule deer. Redstem is reported to comprise as much as 1/3 of the winter diet of Rocky Mountain elk. Livestock will also eat Redstem as do domestic sheep. Birds such as the rufous-sided towhee, western bluebird, Nashville warbler and olive-sided flycatcher, and small mammals such as deer mice, voles and chipmunks find shelter in these shrubs and are fond of the seeds as are insects. Native bees are attracted to the blossoms. 

Native Americans make tea from the leaves and flowers. Some species produce better tasting tea than others. A red dye can be made from the roots. The stems made perfect foundations for baskets. The blossoms can be mixed with water to produce a soap. A Native custom among some tribes sees a bride and groom shampooing each other's hair with this aromatic mixture as part of the wedding ceremony.

Propagation:

Redstem ceanothus develops a deep root system that can aid in soil stabilization. This species can be nursery propagated, and has been successfully planted on logged sites, roadcuts, and acid mine spoils.

If a large area is to be seeded, the seeds must be heat-treated and sown immediately during late fall rains just before snowfall. The seeds will then stratify naturally in the soil over winter and most will germinate the next spring, although small numbers may continue to sprout for up to 8 years. Sprouts can produce seed by 3 - 6 years of age.

Cuttings and seedlings alike are susceptible to stem rot or "damping off," cold winter temperatures, drought, fungus, heavy competition and herbivores. Those that are still living by the second year will normally survive.

Culture:

Ceanothus perform best with little summer watering. Too much water generally causes root rots except in stages of active growth. Late in the season, withhold water to allow the plants to harden off before winter sets in. Until established, deep watering is required. After the plants are comfortable in their surrounds, minimal watering is recommended.

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

Do not be mislead into thinking lots of water and fertilizer will make a better plant. In the case of ceanothus, water deeply until the plant is firmly rooted in the well-drained soil and water sparingly, if at all, after the establishment period is over. Fertilizer is not welcome to ceanothus and may shorten their life-span.

Redstem prefers full sun as does Snowbrush which will take some shade and Blueblossom will take more shade.

Pruning can be done at any time, but should be limited by fall as it usually promotes new growth which may be damaged unless it has time to mature before the cold season. Of course, pruning after the blooming period is desirable so the beautiful blossoms and their fragrance can be appreciated.

As an experiment, we planted a 1-gallon C. thrysiflorus under a large conifer, watered it deeply 3-4 times during the first year and not at all since then. It is now in it's third season since planting, quite strong and sturdy and presented an admirable show of blue blooms this year.

Historical and Special interest:

The Oregon Garden trials are testing a range of ceanothus cultivars, from small to large shrubs. These will be evaluated by variety for rate of growth, length and degree of bloom and sensitivity to cold. The goal is to find which varieties will fare best in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Origin of botanical name, original discovery info, etc.:

Common names are self-explanatory. Also known as New Jersey tea.

Thanks, and happy gardening!

Wally

Click here to return to my Home Page

Questions about plants, click here:  Regular Email to Wally

Comments or questions about our web site, click here: Webmaster