Native Habitat:
Open woodlands, forest edges, and grassland-forest ecotones across western North America, including the Willamette Valley.
 
Bloom Time:
April – May
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub or small tree, typically 6–15 feet tall, with a rounded or spreading form. Produces clusters of white flowers in early spring followed by dark purple berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Ribes sanguineum, Achillea millefolium, Camassia quamash, Mahonia aquifolium, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides early spring blooms and summer berries, adding multi-season interest to urban gardens, patios, and naturalistic landscapes. Its rounded form and colorful foliage make it a versatile specimen, suitable for street tree plantings, rain gardens, or edible garden designs. Supports layering in mixed native plantings and contributes vertical and textural diversity to small urban spaces.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, bumblebees (Bombus spp.), and syrphid flies. Berries are eaten by songbirds, including thrushes and cedar waxwings. Dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for small birds.
 
Historical Use:
Berries were traditionally harvested by Indigenous peoples for food, pies, preserves, and fermented beverages; wood used for small tools and implements.