Mid size deciduous shrub. Erect with bright green, angled branches. Leaves: alternate, oval, non-toothed, 1". Yellow to pink bell-shaped flower 0.5 cm, yielding bright red, rounded 1 cm berries. Edible but sour.
Where Found Conifer and mixed forests, often at edges or under canopy. Preference for soils with decaying wood. Low to middle elevations.
Notes Charming, delicate looking evergreen with quaint flowers and edible fruit. Good for transition zones and understory.
Red Elderberry Sambucus racemosa ssp. pubens
Beautiful mid to large sized deciduous shrub with multiple erect, spreading and curved branches. Compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets 2-5". Floral stems with many small whitish flowers, yielding to rounded pyramid of red berries.
Where Found Often found in conifer and mixed forest at openings in canopy. Does not tolerate well direct sunlight. Sea level to mid elevations.
Notes Handsome plant with vivid green levels and bright red berries. Good food for birds.
Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum
Beautiful mid size deciduous shrub. Erect, spreading branches. Leaves: opposite, 3-5 lobed, 1.5-3". Flowers: beautiful "stalks" (linear clusters) of small red flowers. Wonderful spring color.
Where Found Widespread. Average to dry soils. Open forests, clearings, disturbed sites. Low to mid elevations.
Notes A wonderful addition to a naturescape. Beautiful shape and colors. Loved by hummingbirds and other critters.
Red Osier Dogwood Cornus stolonifera
Mid-size deciduous shrub. Straight, spreading branches. Leaves: opposite, 2-4", parallel tapering veins, red in autumn. Branches terminate in cluster of small white flowers, yielding whitish berries. Young stems brilliant red.
Where Found Moist to dry soils. Found in open forest, streamsides, brushy areas. Full sun (with moist soil) to partial shade.
Notes Attractive landscaping shrub due to shape, flowers, red growth and red autumn leaves. Important winter food for deer and elk.
Salal Gaultheria shallon
Small size evergreen shrub. Creeping to erect growth. Leaves: alternate, shiny, round with tip, 2-4". 5-15 urn-shaped 1 cm flowers at end of branches, yielding bluish 1 cm berries. Edible.
Where Found Widespread. Found in conifer and mixed forests, often at edges and openings. Mountains to sea.
Notes Attractive, currently used landscaping plant. Often planted with Oregon Grape as an understory or transition zone plant. Good habitat plant.
Snowberry Symphoricarpus albus
Small deciduous shrub. Erect, branched and delicate looking. Leaves: round with occasional lobes, 1-2". Flowers: pinkish-purple to white in small clusters, yielding 1 cm white fruits that remain attached after leaves drop.
Where Found Widespread. Moist to average soils. Conifer and mixed forest, often at edges and openings. Low to mid elevations.
Notes Attractive shape and color. Preference for understory.
Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus
Small to mid sized deciduous shrub. Erect, mildly spreading branches. Leaves: soft, "maple" shaped, 4-6". White 1+" flowers in small clusters, yielding red raspberry like berries.
Where Found Coastal, valley and foothill forests. Often in open sites or at forest edge. Low to mid elevations.
Notes Fairly common plant. Part of most "west-side" Pacific NW naturescapes. Good habitat and food plant.
Twinberry Lonicera involucrata
Mid size deciduous shrub. Erect, spaced and spreading branches. Leaves: opposite, narrow. Flowers: beautiful paired fluted yellow flowers, yielding to two dark berries on red bract.
Where Found Moist to average soils. Open conifer and mixed forest, streamsides, brushy areas. Full sun to partial shade.
