NATIVE SHRUBS
water-wise
good for bees, butterflies and birds

All of the shrubs shown here are native to the western US and will thrive in sunny locations. All of them have minimal to moderate water needs, once established. In general, allow shrubs to grow to their natural shape, rather than pruning or shearing them into unnatural shapes. Once per year, in the spring, remove dead or broken branches. Remember: native varieties will support wildlife while many imported and cultivated varieties are designed to appeal to people and will not support wildlife.

Blue Elderberry

Blue elderberry is a fast-growing native shrub that provides food, cover and nesting sites for many wildlife species.

The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Birds eat the ripe fruits. Some birds use the plant for nest structure and the leaves for nest material. Blue elderberry is also a host for the caterpillars of the echo azure butterfly. 

This shrub can grow very large, so check the tag before you buy.

Golden Currant

This shrub is native to the western US and can grow to 6 - 8' tall over time. Produces gorgeous yellow flowers in spring and small berries in summer. This shrub supports birds and other wildlife, and is a great choice for native plant gardens as well as ornamental gardens. Allow it to achieve its natural size and shape.

Hazelnut

This native shrub attracts birds and other wildlife. It grows to about 10' tall and wide, so needs plenty of space. Prefers damp soil and afternoon shade.

Junipers (tall)

There are several varieties of juniper that grow tall and narrow, perfect for buffering noise and adding a sense of privacy to your yard. These rocket-shaped junipers have dense evergreen foliage, typically in shades of blue-green or grey-green. Junipers tolerate a hot, dry climate and require little water once established.

This variety is called Wichita Blue - it grows to about 15' tall and 4 - 6' wide. If you prefer a narrower shape, try Blue Arrow, Skyrocket or Taylor. If you want a wider size, consider Moonglow.

All of these are cultivars of the Rocky Mountain Juniper, which is native to the western US and well-suited to the Spokane climate.

Mock Orange

Mock Orange is native to the western US and can grow to 6 - 8' tall over time. In spring, it produces lovely white flowers, that smell similar to orange blossoms. This shrub is a great choice for both native plant gardens and ornamental gardens.

Red-Flowering Currant

This shrub is native to the western US and can grow to 4 - 6' tall over time. Produces bright pinks flowers in spring and berries in summer. This shrub supports birds and other wildlife, and is a great choice for both native plant gardens and ornamental gardens. Allow it to achieve its natural size and shape.

Red Twig Dogwood

This native shrub has 4-season interest, with gorgeous burgundy stems that are more visible in winter, once the leaves have dropped. It also produces berries that attract birds. The standard variety grows to about 6' tall and wide. Prefers damp soil.

There are several cultivated varieties of red twig dogwood on the market. If you want to support wildlife, choose the original native variety.

Serviceberry

This lovely shrub or small tree produces star-shaped white flowers in spring and reddish-purple berries in summer. Important source of food for local birds and beneficial insects. The Saskatoon or western serviceberry is native to the western US. If you can't find it, 'Autumn Brilliance' is a good substitute. It's fairly drought-tolerant once established and has excellent fall color. The berries are edible and can be made into jams, pies and muffins.

Some varieties can get very large, so check the tag before buying.

Shrubby Potentilla

Blooms non-stop from spring to frost. Tolerates full sun and dry, rocky soil. Does not require any pruning. However, to maintain a neat shape, cut the entire shrub back halfway in early spring, then thin it out by removing half of the stems. Potentilla is native to the western US, so it's an excellent choice for sunny Spokane gardens.