Why choose native plants? Pacific Northwest native plants know how to live here and how to thrive here. They often need much less water and less fertilizer. They spread slowly and are not invasive. They support a wide diversity of wildlife. And best of all, they look great!
Black Twinberry is a member of the Honeysuckle family, forming a beautifully arching tall and wide upright shrub. Locally common in meadows, forest edges, bogs, fens and wetlands across much of south western Canada and all of Washington, Oregon south into California. Seemingly thousands of pairs of yellow, tubular flowers emerge in April and continue blooming all summer long. Flowers are a favored nectar source for hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators; berries are eaten by many species of resident and migratory birds; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and other pest eating insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native moths and butterflies. As the season progresses, the flowers become encased in showy red bracts that eventually hold shiny black “twin” berries, the namesake of this lovely garden shrub. Reaches 5-8′ tall, 2-8′ wide at maturity. Blooms March – August. Prefers moist to wet soil in full sun to part shade. Image courtesy of Sparrowhawk Native Plants.
