Native Habitat:
Coastal forests, forest edges, and moist slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
March – May
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Evergreen shrub or small tree, 6–20 feet tall, with dense, aromatic foliage. Produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by waxy blue berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in moist, well-drained soils with good organic content. Tolerates seasonal dryness once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Polystichum munitum, Tolmiea menziesii, Camassia leichtlinii, Achlys triphylla, Adiantum pedatum.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides year-round structure, aromatic foliage, and wildlife habitat in urban gardens, woodland-inspired landscapes, and naturalized plantings. Works well as a layered shrub, screen, or specimen plant.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees. Berries provide food for birds and small mammals. Dense branching offers shelter and nesting sites for insects and birds.
 
Historical Use:
Leaves and berries were used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes; valued ornamentally for fragrance, foliage, and habitat benefits in gardens and restoration plantings.