SALMONBERRY

Rubus spectabilis is a deciduous shrub native to the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from Alaska south through California, where it colonizes streambanks, forest edges, and moist thickets. It grows vigorously to six or more feet, spreading by rhizomes to form dense thickets over time. In early spring, deep rose-pink flowers appear before the leaves fully unfurl — among the earliest native blooms to draw hungry pollinators. The soft, salmon-to-golden berries that follow are edible and sweet, attracting birds as readily as gardeners. A genuine wildland shrub for naturalized plantings, rain gardens, or any moist, partially shaded corner of the property.