Description

A small, pretty, upright, nitrogen-fixing, deciduous shrub that supports native bees and beneficial insects. Medium to dark green leaves are gray and hairy underneath. Young twigs are noticeably yellow and stand out in winter. Fragrant, tiny white flowers in oval clusters rise from the leaf axils on new shoots. The base is woody, while the upper portion of the plant is made up of herbaceous, spreading branches. Fall color is insignificant. Grows best in sandy or rocky, well-draining sites, and will suffer with too much moisture or soil compaction. Deep woody roots allow for drought tolerance, but make established shrubs difficult to transplant. May be hard pruned every five years to maintain a compact shape if desired. I like to let it go natural. C. americanus has a slow to moderate growth rate. Attracts birds and butterflies. Special value to native bees. Larval host to spring azure, summer azure, mottled duskywing. Height: 3-4 ft. Spread: 3-5 ft. Family: Rhamnaceae Bloom time: May to July Sun: full sun to part shade Water: dry to medium Regarding deer resistance, I found conflicting reports, but more saying resistant than not. Let me know your experience! photo credit: Randy Harter https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ceanothus-americanus/