Native Habitat:
Moist forests, forest edges, and riparian areas.
 
Bloom Time:
April – June
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 3–8 feet tall, with slender, arching stems and small, elliptical leaves. Produces bell-shaped, white to pink flowers, followed by bright red edible berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Partial to full shade; thrives in acidic, loamy, or silty soils. Prefers consistently moist conditions and tolerates seasonal wetness.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Tolmiea menziesii, Polystichum munitum, Athyrium filix-femina, Camassia leichtlinii, Tiarella trifoliata.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides vertical structure, seasonal flowers, and edible berries in urban gardens, naturalized landscapes, and woodland-inspired plantings. Works well as a layered shrub, understory specimen, or pollinator-supportive planting.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and butterflies. Berries provide food for birds and small mammals. Dense branching offers shelter and nesting habitat for insects and wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Berries were traditionally harvested by Indigenous peoples for food and preservation. Valued ornamentally for fruit, ecological benefits, and inclusion in shaded native plant gardens.