Deer Brush

Deer brush (Ceanothus integerrimus, Rhamnaceae) is a native deciduous shrub found from southern Washington through Oregon into California and east to New Mexico. It reaches 6 to 15 feet tall with moderate growth. White flowers (sometimes pale blue or pinkish) appear in large, frothy clusters in late spring, blooming on the current season's growth.

Deer brush grows in full sun on adaptable, well-drained soils (pH 7.1 to 8.5) with low water needs and high drought tolerance, hardy in Zones 7a to 8b. It is a nitrogen-fixing species important for forest regeneration after wildfires, with resprout ability and a long lifespan. Documented diseases include leaf spot and root rot; pest associations include ceanothus leafminer, root weevil, and whitefly. No cultivars are in the trade.