Native Habitat:
Moist forests, forest edges, and montane slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
May – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 3–6 feet tall, with arching branches and opposite, oval leaves. Produces pairs of small yellow to creamy-white tubular flowers followed by bright red berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Partial to full shade; thrives in moist, well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter. Tolerates seasonal wetness.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Polystichum munitum, Tolmiea menziesii, Athyrium filix-femina, Adiantum pedatum, Acer circinatum.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides soft structure, delicate flowers, and bird-friendly fruit in shaded or woodland-style urban gardens. Works well in layered native plantings, along forest margins, or as a habitat shrub in naturalized landscapes.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and hummingbirds. Berries are an important food source for songbirds and small mammals. Dense branching provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and insects.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal and ornamental purposes; valued in habitat restoration and woodland-style plantings for its ecological benefits.