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Higher altitude fragrant smelling bush #775016

Asked October 11, 2021, 4:32 PM EDT

I would love to know the name of a bush that grows at higher altitudes in the Siskiyou Mountains that has an absolutely wonderful fragrance. The fragrance, which is rather earthy, comes from the plant itself, not from flowers. This bush has oblong shaped green leaves that are about 3 inches long and maybe an inch wide. I don't think they are deciduous leaves. My guess is that it grows above 4500 feet. I've encountered this bush quite a bit hiking on and around Mt. Ashland. Any idea what it is? Sorry I didn't think to take a photo of the plant.

Jackson County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi--as you might imagine, I can't help you identify a plant without seeing a photo.  However, here are some good image galleries with plants that can be found in the area where you were hiking.  If you find the plant, please let me know!  :-)

https://wildflowersearch.org/search?oldstate=gmc%3A42.064%2C-122.668%3Bgms%3A12%3Blocation%3AMt.+Ashland+Meadows%3Belev%3A5334%3Btitle%3AMt.+Ashland+Meadows+Wildflowers%3B%3Bcat%3AB&buttonName=none&hab=&Elev=&PlantName=

https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/3544?taxon=47125&without%5B%5D=page

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/Pacific_Southwest/MtAshlandSiskiyouPeak/index.shtml

Alice Slusher Replied October 11, 2021, 7:28 PM EDT
Hi Alice,

Thank you so much for getting back to me.  Those are great webpages that you included in your reply.  From looking at them I'm guessing it's a Bush Chinquapin.  Does that plant typically have a strong fragrance to it?  It's funny I was mountain biking up in the Mt Ashland watershed with a friend who was a surveyor and she really dislikes the fragrance.  I think it's heavenly.  But then again, she associates it with unpleasant jobs...

Paula

On Mon, Oct 11, 2021 at 4:28 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied October 20, 2021, 5:20 PM EDT

I have not seen any mention in anything I've read that suggests Chrysolepis sempervirens is aromatic.  Back to the drawing board?  I wish you had a photo--that would sure help.

Alice Slusher Replied October 25, 2021, 1:14 PM EDT
Hi Alice,

I finally got a chance to take a photo of that aromatic plant that we talked about in October.  I've attached a copy of the photo.  Will this help you identify it?

Paula

On Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 10:14 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied November 30, 2021, 1:59 PM EST

I think this may be Snowbrush Ceanothus *(Ceanothus velutinuseanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.)  It does have scented leaves.

http://nativeplantspnw.com/snowbrush-ceanothus-velutinus/

Alice Slusher Replied November 30, 2021, 6:28 PM EST
I think you're right!  Thanks so much!

Paula

On Tue, Nov 30, 2021 at 3:28 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied November 30, 2021, 7:13 PM EST
Hi folks,

I have a couple of new questions for you.  First, I have a small dogwood tree that I got a few years ago from the National Arbor Day Foundation that has never bloomed. Is there anything I can do to get it to bloom? I don't really understand why it has not. It seems healthy otherwise. Second, I have a couple of lilac bushes that never seem to bloom all that much.  I get a few blossoms, but not many.  What can I do to get them to bloom more prolifically? Is there a certain type of fertilizer that I should use?  Or trim them in a specific way? 

I look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks!

Paula Musich

On Tue, Nov 30, 2021 at 4:06 PM Paula Musich <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I think you're right!  Thanks so much!

Paula

On Tue, Nov 30, 2021 at 3:28 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 26, 2024, 2:51 PM EDT

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