Native Habitat:
Open forests, chaparral, and dry slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
April – June
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 1–4 feet tall, with arching stems and lobed, aromatic leaves. Produces small, pink to red tubular flowers followed by edible red berries covered with a sticky or gummy coating.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in sandy, loamy, or rocky soils. Tolerates seasonal dryness once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Eriophyllum lanatum, Achillea millefolium, Festuca idahoensis, Arctostaphylos columbiana, Lupinus micranthus.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds seasonal color, edible berries, and low-growing structure to urban gardens, naturalized landscapes, and pollinator-friendly plantings. Works well in layered native shrub borders and low-water xeric gardens.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and butterflies. Berries provide food for birds and small mammals. Arching branches and foliage offer shelter and nesting sites for insects and wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Berries were traditionally eaten by Indigenous peoples. Plant valued ornamentally for its showy flowers, edible fruit, and adaptability in dry, sunny native landscapes.