Native Habitat:
Moist forests, forest edges, and coastal slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
April – June
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Evergreen shrub, typically 6–15 feet tall (occasionally up to 20 feet), with large leathery leaves and upright branching. Produces showy clusters of pink to rose-purple flowers at branch tips.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Partial shade to full sun; thrives in moist, acidic, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Prefers consistent moisture and protection from extreme heat.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Polystichum munitum, Holodiscus discolor, Gaultheria shallon, Corylus cornuta, Adiantum pedatum.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds year-round evergreen structure, lush foliage, and striking spring flowers to urban woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized landscapes. Works well as a specimen shrub, in foundation plantings, or as part of layered native plant communities designed for shade and habitat value.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Evergreen foliage and branching provide shelter for birds and beneficial insects.
 
Historical Use:
Traditionally valued by Indigenous peoples for medicinal uses. Highly prized ornamentally for its dramatic blooms and evergreen presence in woodland gardens and restoration plantings.