Native Habitat:
Open forests, forest edges, and moist slopes .
 
Bloom Time:
March – May
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 3–10 feet tall, with arching branches and lobed green leaves. Produces clusters of bright pink to red tubular flowers, followed by small dark berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in well-drained sandy, loamy, or silty soils. Performs best with consistent moisture but tolerates some seasonal dryness.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Tolmiea menziesii, Polystichum munitum, Holodiscus discolor, Camassia leichtlinii, Achlys triphylla.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides early-season color, vertical structure, and wildlife habitat in urban gardens, woodland-inspired landscapes, and naturalized plantings. Works well as a specimen shrub, layered native planting, or hedgerow.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract hummingbirds, native bees, and other early-season pollinators. Berries are consumed by birds and small mammals. Dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Berries were used by Indigenous peoples for food; flowers and leaves had minor medicinal uses. Valued ornamentally for its vibrant spring blooms, ecological benefits, and role in native garden plantings.