Native Habitat:
Open forests, forest edges, and dry slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
May – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 2–5 feet tall, with arching stems and soft, velvety leaves. Produces clusters of small, pink to white flowers followed by round, white berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils. Tolerates seasonal dryness and a variety of soil types once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Camassia quamash, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca idahoensis.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds seasonal flowers, winter berry interest, and dense shrub structure to urban gardens, naturalized landscapes, and habitat-focused plantings. Works well as a layered shrub, hedgerow, or wildlife-supportive specimen.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and butterflies. Berries provide food for birds, and dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for insects and small mammals.
 
Historical Use:
Used ornamentally for flowers and berries; valued for wildlife habitat, layered shrub plantings, and ecological function in native and naturalized garden settings.