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Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.1
Starflower Image Herbarium Evergreen Flowering Shrubs
© Starflower Foundation, 1996-2007 Washington Native Plant Society
These species pages has been valuable and loved for over a decade by WNPS members and the PNW plant
community. Untouched since 2007, these pages have been archived for your reference. They contain valuable
identifiable traits, landscaping information, and ethnobotanical uses. Species names and data will not be updated.
To view updated taxonomical information, visit the UW Burke Herbarium Image Collection website at
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php. For other useful plant information, visit
the Native Plants Directory at www.wnps.org.
Compiled September 1, 2018
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.2
Contents
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Kinnikinnick, Bearberry ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Ceanothus velutinus ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Snowbrush .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Gaultheria shallon .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Salal ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Mahonia aquifolium ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Tall Oregon Grape ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Mahonia nervosa ................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Dull Oregon Grape .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Myrica californica ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Pacific Wax Myrtle .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Penstemon davidsonii ............................................................................................................................................................ 9
Davidson's Penstemon ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Penstemon fruticosus ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Lowbush Penstemon ......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Rhododendron macrophyllum ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Pacific Rhododendron ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Vaccinium ovatum ................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Evergreen huckleberry ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13
About Ann Lennartz
Founded in 1996 by Ann Lennartz, Starflower Foundation assisted with the
creation, rehabilitation, and stewardship of Pacific Northwest native plant
communities in Seattle, Washington, by supporting community-driven restoration
and education projects. Having met the founder’s expectations, Starflower Foundation ceased operations in
December 2007.
Resources developed by Starflower Foundation included an array of educational materials, plant ID cards,
project case studies, and this image herbarium. All resources contain Western Washington native plant
information and images for use in education, restoration and landscaping projects. As mutually agreed upon
with Starflower Foundation, Washington Native Plant Society has made Starflower's learning and education
materials available on our website.
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.3
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick, Bearberry
At a Glance: A mat-forming evergreen shrub producing lovely pink flowers that
later turn into red berries.
Height: Can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: The velvety red-brownish branches are long, flexible and
rooting. Pure stands of kinnikinnick can grow to be very dense.
Leaves: Leaves are alternate, oval in shape, dark green, shiny above and
paler beneath with a leathery texture; size: up to 3 cm (1 in) long.
Flowers: Small pink bell-shaped flowers in few-flowered drooping
terminal clusters; size: 5 mm long.
Flowering Period: March, April.
Fruits: Kinnikinnick berries are called drupes and ripen late, continuing
to stay on plants into winter. Each drupe contains 1 to 5 large very hard
seeds. Drup size: 7-10 mm across; color: red.
Soil Preferences
Prefers coarse, well-drained soils.
sandy soils
gravelly soils
well drained soils
Habitat Preferences
Saltwater Areas: Coastal dunes or beaches
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Cliffs
Rocky slopes
Glacial outwash
Forests and Thickets: Open forests
Forest edges, openings, or clearings
Wildlife Value
Berries
Birds: The berries are consumed by ruffed grouse, band-tailed pigeons, evening
grosbeaks, sparrows, and other ground-feeding birds.
Insects: The flowers attract bees and brown elfin butterflies.
Mammals: The berries are browsed by bears, foxes, and coyotes. The twigs are
browsed by deer.
Landscape Uses: Good groundcover for dry places, banks. The berries persist
into the winter.
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80%
mostly sunny 60%-80%
Hydrology dry
Elevation Range low elevation
mid elevation
sub-alpine
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.4
Ceanothus velutinus
Snowbrush
At a Glance: A tall shrub with glossy leaves and clusters of white
flowers.
Height: Up to 10 feet (3 meters).
Growth Form: Shrub.
Leaves: Alternate arrangement. The broadly oval leaves are shiny
and sticky on top and velvety beneath; finely toothed with three
major veins. Leaves are aromatic. Size: 3-6 cm (1-2.5 in) long.
Flowers: Flowers are arranged in pyramidal clusters 5-12 cm long
along the length of side branches. EAch flower is tiny, white.
Flowering Period: May, June, July.
Fruits: three-lobed and three-chambered; size: 4-5 mm long.
Habitat Preferences
Saltwater Areas:
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Cliffs
Rocky slopes
Outcrops
Forests and Thickets: Open forests
Forest edges, openings, or clearings
Disturbed Areas: Burned areas
Disturbed sites
Wildlife Value Host for insect larvae
Insects: The flowers are pollinated by many flying insects, especially
bees. Ceanothus silk moth larvae eat the leaves. Butterflies associated
with the plant include the pale swallowtail butterfly, the brown elfin
butterfly, and the hedgerow hairstreak butterfly.
Mammals: Deer and elk browse on the twigs and leaves.
Sun/Shade Tolerance
mostly sunny 60%-80%
Hydrology moist
dry
Elevation Range low elevation
mid elevation
Soil Preferences sandy soils
gravelly soils
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.5
Gaultheria shallon
Salal
At a Glance: Creeping to erect shrub with hairy branching stems and dark
leathery leaves.
Height: Up to 16 feet (5 meters) in exceptional cases but typically 3-7
feet (1-2 m) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: Hairy, branched.
Leaves: Alternate, evergreen, leathery, shiny dark green, sharply and
finely toothed, egg shaped, 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long; color: dark leathery
green.
Flowers: Occur in racemes of 5-15 urn-shaped flowers, all oriented in
same direction; primary color: white-pinkish; size: 7-10 mm long.
Flowering Period: May, June.
Fruits: The "berries" are actually the fleshy sepals, edible, the true fruit
is a capsule surrounded by the fleshy calyx; shape: round; size: 6-10
mm broad; color: reddish-blue to dark purple.
Habitat Preferences
Saltwater Areas: Seashores
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Coastal bluffs
Rocky slopes
Forests and Thickets: Forests and woods
Coniferous forests
Old growth forests
Birds: Grouse, band-tailed pigeons, towhees, and other ground-feeding
birds.
Insects: Brown elfin butterfly larvae eat the twigs.
Mammals: Bear, foxes, coyotes, and other smaller mammals eat the
berries. Deer and elk eat the twigs.
Material Uses: Haida used the berries to thicken salmon eggs. Leafy
branches used in pit cooking and as flavoring for fish by the Saanich
and other Vancouver Island Salish groups. The Nuu-chah-nulth made a
purple stain from the berries. Leaves can be rolled into a cone to form a
makeshift cup.
Medicinal Uses: Young leaves chewed by the Ditidaht to suppress
hunger. The leaves were chewed and spit onto burns by the Klallam.
Food Uses: Berries eaten fresh and dried by most Northwest Coast
peoples. Kwakwakawakw ate the berries ripe and dipped in oolichan
grease at feasts. Berries were mixed with others in cakes and traded
Berries have been made into jam and preserves.
Landscape Uses: Used as garden ornamental in Britain. Spreads easily
once established.
Name Info: "Salal" is the native peoples name for the species.
Interesting Facts: Long lasting leaves are used by florists. Raised
commercially by some growers.
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80%
mostly sunny 60%-80%
partial sun and shade 40%-
60%
mostly shady 60%-80%
full shade > 80%
Hydrology moist dry
Elevation Range low elevation
mid elevation
Soil Preferences nutrient poor soils
Wildlife Value Berries
Host for insect larvae
Thickets and shelter
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.6
Mahonia aquifolium
Tall Oregon Grape
At a Glance: Erect, stiff-branched shrub with holly-like leaves and clusters of
yellow flowers.
Height: 2.5 - 6.5 feet (0.8 meters - 2 meters).
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: Bark and stems are yellowish due to an alkaloid berberine.
Leaves: Leaves are alternately arranged, turn red/purple in winter, 5-11
leathery leaflets per leaf, leaflets are spiny toothed margins with a
glossy topside and prominent red central veins; shape: oblong to elliptic;
size: 8-24 cm (3-10 in) long.
Flowers: Many in erect clusters that are up to 20 cm (8 in) long, flower
parts in sixes; primary color: bright yellow; size: about 0.5 cm (0.25
inches) long.
Flowering Period: April, May.
Fruits: Berries are 4-7 mm diameter, ovoid; dark blue with a white
bloom; contain a few large seeds 4-5 mm long; flowers are born in an
elongated cluster.
Soil Preferences
gravelly soils nutrient poor soils
Habitat Preferences
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Rocky slopes Gullies
Forests and Thickets: Open forests Coniferous forests
Mixed forests Forest edges, openings, or clearings
Disturbed Areas: Roadsides
Wildlife Value
Nectar for butterflies
Birds: The berries are eaten by many birds including grouse, pheasants, robins,
waxwings, juncos, sparrows, and towhees.
Insects: Orchard mason bees and painted lady butterflies use the nectar.
Mammals: Foxes, raccoons, and coyotes eat the berries. Deer and elk will
occasionally browse the leaves and flowers.
Food Uses: Fruits are edible.
Landscape Uses: Use as a hedge or individually; prune lightly.
Photo © Heidi Bohan
Photo © 2003, Heidi Bohan
Sun/Shade Tolerance
mostly sunny 60%-80%
partial sun and shade 40%- 60%
Hydrology
moist
dry
Elevation Range
low elevation
mid elevation
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.7
Mahonia nervosa
Dull Oregon Grape
At a Glance: Low-growing creeping shrub with dark green holly-like
leaves and slender spikes of yellow flowers.
Height: Up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Leaves: Leaves are in long clusters (pinnately compound) with
numerous dark green, glossy, holly-like leaves; leaf margins are
slightly prickly.
Flowers: Small bright yellow flowers in elongated clusters at tops
of stems.
Flowering Period: April, May.
Fruits: Small rounded dark blue berries with a whitish bloom.
Sun/Shade Tolerance partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80% full shade > 80%
Hydrology moist dry
Elevation Range low elevation mid elevation
Habitat Preferences Forests and Thickets:
Forests and woods Coniferous forests Deciduous forests Mixed forests
Wildlife Value Berries
Birds: Birds eat the berries. Mammals: Mammals eat the berries.
Ethnobotanical Uses and Other Facts Food Uses: The blue fruits are edible. Landscape Uses: Low maintenance ground cover or low hedge.
Photo © Heidi Bohan
Photo © 2004, Heidi Bohan
Photo © 2003, Heidi Bohan
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.8
Myrica californica
Pacific Wax Myrtle
At a Glance: Tall shrub with small evergreen leaves.
Height: Up to 15 feet (5 meters) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Flowering Period: May, June.
Fruits: Purplish, waxy fruits are produced in the fall.
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80% partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80%
Elevation Range low elevation
Soil Preferences peaty soils well drained soils acidic soils
Habitat Preferences Aquatic and Wetland:
Forested wetlands Bogs, fens
Shorelines and Riparian: Bog margins
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Coastal bluffs
Wildlife Value Berries
Birds: Birds eat the fruits.
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.9
Penstemon davidsonii
Davidson's Penstemon
At a Glance: Low mat-forming perennial with small evergreen leaves and large blue-purple tubular flowers.
Height: 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: Creeping, forming small mats.
Leaves: Oval-shaped, 8-20 cm long, dark green and glossy, sometimes slightly toothed at tips.
Flowers: Large blue-purple tubular flowers 1-3 cm long.
Flowering Period: June, July, August.
Fruits: Dry capsules.
Habitat Preferences Rocky or Gravelly Areas:
Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops Crevices
Sub-alpine and Alpine: Tundra
Ethnobotanical Uses and Other Facts Landscape Uses: Suitable for dry banks or rock gardens.
Photo © Ben Legler
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80% partial sun and shade 40%- 60%
Hydrology moist dry
Elevation Range sub-alpine
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.10
Penstemon fruticosus
Lowbush Penstemon
At a Glance: Spreading shrub with numerous tubular purple flowers.
Height: Up to 40 cm (1.5 ft) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: Slender, erect, woody near base.
Leaves: Lanceolate to elliptic, to 4 cm (2 in) long with slightly toothed margins
Flowers: Large tubular purple flowers are produced in late spring or early summer, in spikes of 3-10 at tops of stems.
Flowering Period: June, July.
Fruits: Small dry capsules.
Soil Preferences gravelly soils well drained soils
Habitat Preferences Rocky or Gravelly Areas:
Cliffs Rocky slopes Outcrops
Wildlife Value Nectar for hummingbirds Nectar for butterflies
Birds: Hummingbirds visit the flowers. Insects: Bees, butterflies and night moths visit the flowers.
Ethnobotanical Uses and Other Facts Landscape Uses: Suitable for dry banks or rock gardens.
Photo © Ben Legler
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80% mostly sunny 60%-80%
Hydrology dry
Elevation Range mid elevation sub-alpine
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.11
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Pacific Rhododendron
At a Glance: Showy shrub that can grow very large, with clusters of large
pink flowers.
Height: Up to 26 feet (8 meters) if grown in shade; shorter and
bushier in sunlight.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Leaves: Alternate, evergreen, leathery, thick, not hairy, oblong-
elliptic, 8-20 cm (3-8 in) long; color: deep green.
Flowers: Pink to rose-purple, bell-shaped, 5-lobed (the lobes have
wavy edges), 2-4 cm long; few to many in showy terminal
clusters.
Flowering Period: May, June, July.
Fruits: Capsules woody, reddish-brown, to 2 cm long.
Soil Preferences well drained soils
Habitat Preferences
Forests and Thickets: Forests and woods
Open forests
Coniferous forests
Mixed forests
Forest edges, openings, or clearings
Thickets
Disturbed Areas: Burned areas
Wildlife Value Nectar for butterflies
Thickets and shelter
Birds: Songbirds nest in large specimens.
Insects: Bumblebees and swallowtail butterflies are attracted to the
flowers.
Mammals: Deer will eat the flowers and flower buds.
Sun/Shade Tolerance full sun > 80%
mostly sunny 60%-80%
partial sun and shade 40%-
60%
Hydrology moist
dry
Elevation Range low elevation
mid elevation
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.12
Vaccinium ovatum
Evergreen huckleberry
At a Glance: Bushy shrub with small shiny green evergreen leaves and small clusters of pink bell-shaped flowers.
Height: Up to 4 meters (13 ft) tall.
Growth Form: Shrub.
Stems: Young twigs are slightly hairy.
Leaves: Small evergreen, dark glossy green, egg-shaped with finely toothed margins, 2-5 cm long. Young leaves are red-tinged.
Flowers: In small clusters along branches; flowers are bell-shaped, pink, to 8 mm long.
Flowering Period: April, May, June, July.
Fruits: Dark purplish-black berries to 7 mm diameter; edible.
Elevation Range low elevation
Soil Preferences well drained soils
Habitat Preferences Saltwater Areas:
Seashores Coastal dunes or beaches
Rocky or Gravelly Areas: Coastal bluffs
Forests and Thickets: Forests and woods Coniferous forests Forest edges, openings, or clearings Thickets
Wildlife Value Berries Nectar for hummingbirds Nectar for butterflies
Birds: Birds eat the berries. Insects: Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
Ethnobotanical Uses and Other Facts Food Uses: The delicious berries last into late fall.
Photo © 2003, Heidi Bohan
Sun/Shade Tolerance mostly sunny 60%-80% partial sun and shade 40%- 60% mostly shady 60%-80%
Hydrology moist dry
Starflower Image Herbarium & Landscaping Pages Evergreen Flowering Shrubs – pg.13
References
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Suggested References
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 124.
Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 271.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 119.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 67.
Ceanothus velutinus Suggested References
Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 110.
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 122.
Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 266.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 147.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 91.
Gaultheria shallon Suggested References
Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 113.
Cooke, S.S. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwetern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society. Page 25.
Gunther, E. 1973. 2nd ed. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press. Page 43.
Hickman, J.C., ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. Page 560.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 343.
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 124.
Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 268.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 150.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 53.
Turner, N.AJ. 1975. Food Plants of British Columbia Indians: part 1, Coastal Peoples. British Columbia Provincial Museum. Page 212.
Mahonia aquifolium Suggested References
Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 362.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 142.
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 116.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 139.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 95.
Rhododendron macrophyllum Suggested References
Alden, P., D. Paulson. 1998. National Audubon Society, Field Guide to the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Press. Page 115.
Brockman, F.C. 1968. A Guide to Field Identification: Trees of North America. Western Publishing Company. Page .
Hickman, J.C., ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. Page 566.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist. 1973. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 348.
Jacobson A.L. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle. Published by author. Page 128.
Link, R. 1999. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Page 270.
Lyons, C., W. Merilees. Trees and Shrubs to Know in Washington and British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 152.
Pojar, J., A. Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Lone Pine Publishing. Page 61.