Native to this area, I was happy to realize that one of the volunteer shrubs growing in the Douglas fir bed that I had pruned back each year, but hadn’t eradicated, was this beautiful species. This plant has beautiful leaves with intricate veins, subtle flower umbels, and white berries in the fall.

My plant first appeared six or so years ago, but I pruned it very heavily until this year. It is showing its potential now, as I embrace it as a native Seattle shrub.

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I may have to make more room for this robust grower in 2020. Likely, in the fall, I’ll rearrange my native plants to give them all more room to spread out. I’ve also taken cuttings in late June that appear to be doing well–I expect they’ll root and be ready for potting on in another month.