Native Habitat:
Open forests, forest edges, and shaded slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
April – June
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous shrub, 6–12 feet tall, with oval to elliptic leaves and arching stems. Produces clusters of small white flowers followed by dark blue to black berries.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in loamy, sandy, or silty soils. Prefers moderate moisture and tolerates seasonal dryness once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Tolmiea menziesii, Polystichum munitum, Camassia leichtlinii, Tiarella trifoliata, Achlys triphylla.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds seasonal flowers, fruit, and structural interest to urban gardens, woodland-inspired landscapes, and naturalized plantings. Works well as a layered shrub, hedgerow, or pollinator-supportive specimen.
 
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 used by Indigenous peoples for food. Valued ornamentally for seasonal flowers, fruit, and ecological benefits in native plant and woodland-style gardens.