Native Habitat:
Riparian areas, open forests, and moist slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
May – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub or small tree, 6–15 feet tall, with arching, multi-stemmed growth and pinnately compound leaves. Produces large, flat-topped clusters of small, creamy-white flowers followed by dark blue to purple berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in moist, well-drained loam, sandy, or silty soils. Prefers sites with seasonal moisture but tolerates moderate dryness once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Cornus sericea, Tolmiea menziesii, Polystichum munitum, Camassia leichtlinii, Achlys triphylla.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides summer flowers, edible berries, and dense structural foliage in urban gardens, riparian plantings, and naturalized landscapes. Works well as a specimen shrub, layered native planting, or for habitat restoration and wildlife support.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Berries provide food for birds, small mammals, and pollinators. Dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Berries and flowers were used by Indigenous peoples for food, beverages, and medicinal purposes. Valued ornamentally for blooms, edible fruit, and its ecological role in riparian and native gardens.