Fire-resistant plant profiles: Shrubs

Abeliophyllum distichum

A showy, fragrant spring-blooming shrub with profuse white flowers in March or April. Hardy to the west side of the Cascade Mountains. Low maintenance and can be used as a hedge. Multi-stemmed, unkept appearance. Not real showy in the landscape after bloom.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant

Height: 3–5 feet

Spread: 3–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–8

Flowers: white to pinkish

Bloom time: March–April

Acer circinatum

A Pacific Northwest native with an open, irregular growth habit. Can be considered a tree or shrub. Does not perform well in full sun; east-facing location is ideal. Nice green stems when young; medium green leaves in summer. Healthy plants can have red, orange or yellow fall color. Flowers are not showy.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 10–15 feet

Spread: 10–15 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–9

Acer glabrum

Small tree or large multi-stem shrub with attractive dark green foliage and red twigs. The “helicopter” seeds will turn reddish in summer. Attractive red to yellow fall color. Several subspecies and varieties available. Would do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 20–30 feet

Spread: 10–15 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Fall color: yellow to red

Amelanchier species

A multi-stemmed shrub or tree that bears white flowers in spring followed by edible, purplish-black fruit that can be used in jams or wine. Excellent fall colors of red-orange. A. alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry) is the native species. Cultivated species include ‘Regent’, which is more compact.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 6–10 feet

Spread: 5–12 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–10

Flowers: white

Bloom time: March–April

Aronia melanocarpa

An upright, multi-stem shrub with glossy, green leaves and white flowers in spring. Blackish fruit is edible and can be used to make juices, jellies and jams. Plant has high wildlife value and reddish-purple fall color. Varieties include ‘Autumn Magic’ and ‘Viking’. Both red and green chokeberry could also be used.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds

Height: 3–6 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–9

Flowers: white

Bloom time: April–May

Berberis species

A commonly used small- or medium-sized shrub with a dense, rounded growth habit. Branches have spines and small leaves in colors ranging from purplish red to gold. Red fruit persists into winter. More popular varieties include B. thunbergii var. atropurpurea ‘Crimson Pygmy’ (dwarf), ‘Rose Glow’, B. thunbergii ‘Helmond Pillar’ (upright), ‘Admiration’, ‘Concorde’ (sterile). Other sterile varieties include ‘Crimson Cutie^®’ and ‘Lemon Glow^®’. Barberry is considered invasive in several states (Midwest and eastern U.S.). Avoid planting invasive species B. vulgaris (common barberry).

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant

Height: 4-6 feet

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: yellow

Bloom time: April–May

Buddleia

Known for its beautiful, nectar-rich, fragrant blooms in late summer. Can be difficult to establish in some regions. May need to be cut back each season to 12 inches above the ground. Select sterile varieties approved for sale such as ‘Asian Moon’, ‘Blue Chip’, ‘Miss Molly’, ‘Miss Ruby’ and several of the Flutterby Grande ™ cultivars. Attracts hummingbirds. Avoid planting invasive species B. davidii (butterfly bush). The common name butterfly bush is no longer used with the sterile varieties.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 4-6 feet

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–9

Flowers: purple, pink, white, blue

Bloom time: July-September

Caryopteris x clandonensis

Dense, rounded shrub with grayish-green leaves. Produces lavender-blue flowers in late summer. Foliage has a sagelike scent. Nice color for late season. Attracts pollinators. Can die back in winter and be cut back like a perennial in early spring. Prefers additional moisture. Will reseed. Cultivars include ‘Blue Mist’, ‘Dark Knight’ and ‘Beyond Midnight’.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 3–5 feet

Spread: 3–5 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–10

Flowers: lavender-blue

Bloom time: July–September

Ceanothus x pallidus ‘Marie Simon’

A semi-deciduous to evergreen shrub with large, loose clusters of fragrant, soft pink flowers and interesting maroon-colored stems. Adaptable west of the Cascades. Prune in early spring to rejuvenate and shape.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 3–6 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 6–10

Flowers: light pink

Bloom time: June–July

Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’

This dwarf dogwood has a compact, rounded growth habit with white flowers in spring. Red stems provide winter interest. Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Deer-resistant

Height: 24–36 inches

Spread: 24–36 inches

USDA hardiness zones: 2–8

Flowers: white

Bloom time: May–June

Cornus sericea

A fast-growing shrub often found in riparian areas. White flowers followed by white fruits. Attractive red stems offer winter color to the landscape. Many cultivars available with different-colored stems and leaves and in various sizes. Can be pruned heavily down to 12 inches every four to five years.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Deer resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 7–10 feet

Spread: 8–10 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–8

Flowers:white

Bloom time: May–June

Dasiphora fruticosa

Formerly known as Potentilla fruticosa, this hardy, bushy shrub with small grayish-green leaves produces flowers all summer long in shades of yellow, gold, white, pink, red and orange. Cultivars include ‘Abbotswood’, ‘Gold Drop’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Tangerine’ and many others.

• Low water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 2–4 feet

Spread: 2–4 feet

USDA hardiness zone: 2–7

Flowers: multi

Bloom time: June–September

Forsythia x intermedia

Forsythia come in a variety of sizes from dwarf to large shrubs. Known for its abundance of yellow flowers covering the entire branch in early spring. Prune following flowering, removing oldest stems all the way to the ground. Common varieties include ‘Lynwood Gold’, ‘Northern Gold’, “Meadowlark’ and the dwarf compact variety ‘Courtasol’ (Gold Tide).

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant

Height: 3+ feet

Spread: 6+ feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: Yellow-gold

Bloom time: March–April

Holodiscus discolor

An attractive, large shrub with a graceful growth habit and fragrant, pendulous, creamy white flowers in summer. Attracts hummingbirds. Best in morning light and afternoon shade.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 6–9 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–9

Flowers:white

Bloom time: June–July

Philadelphus species

Known for its sweet-smelling white flowers and bright-green foliage. Flowers can be single or double. Vase-shape growth habit. Many cultivars available, including golden-leafed ones. Attracts hummingbirds. P. lewisii (Lewis’ mock orange) is the native variety and the Idaho state flower.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 6–8 feet

Spread: 6–8 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: white

Bloom time: May–June

Physocarpus species

Very adaptable shrubby plant with dense, green, purple or golden foliage. Produces white flowers in summer. Distinct peeling bark. Varieties include ‘Diablo^®’ (purple foliage), ‘Dart’s Gold’, ‘Summer Wine™’ (smaller) and ‘Little Devil™’ (smaller). Pacific ninebark is native with green leaves in summer.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 6-8 feet

Spread: 6–8 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–7

Flowers: white to pinkish

Bloom time: May–June

Prunus besseyi

A medium-sized shrub with an open, irregular growth habit. Produces fragrant, white flowers in spring followed by edible, red (changing to black) fruit. Leaves are grayish-green, changing to a coppery-red in fall. Prefers additional moisture but can sucker if overwatered. ‘Pawnee Buttes^®’ selection is 12–18 inches tall.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 4–6 feet

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–7

Flowers: white

Bloom time: April–May

Rhamnus frangula ‘SMNRFBT’

This variety is NOT invasive. Produces little fruit, and of those, only 2% are viable. Dense, upright shrub ideal for a hedge or shrub border with unique feathery appearance. Very adaptable. Glossy-green leaves turn yellow in fall. Flowers are not showy.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant

Height: 5–7 feet

Spread: 2–3 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–7

Rhododendron occidentale

A deciduous, upright shrub with, fragrant, white to salmon-pink flowers in spring. It is the only native azalea west of the Rocky Mountains found on the western side of the Cascade Mountains. Attracts hummingbirds. All parts of the plants are poisonous.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 5-10 feet

Spread: 5–10 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 6–9

Flowers: white to pink

Bloom time: April–May

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’

Mounding shrub with dark green leaves. Fall color is orange to red to purple. Tiny yellow flowers change to fuzzy red fruit. Prefers additional moisture. R. trilobata ‘Autumn Amber’ grows 10-14 inches high and is a nice selection of the native R. trilobata (Three-leaf sumac), which grows 5–7 feet high. Flowers are not showy. Can spread by suckers and often used to stabilize slopes.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Deer-resistant

Height: 1–3 feet

Spread: 5–7 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–9

Ribes species

Small to medium-size shrubs with ­attractive bright to dark-green leaves and fragrant flowers in a variety of colors. Some species produce edible fruit. R. aureum (golden currant) is widely native and R. sanguineum (red-flowering currant) is native west of the Cascades.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 3–6’

Spread: 3–6’

USDA hardiness zones: 2–7

Flowers: pink or yellow

Bloom time: April - May

Rosa species

Low-maintenance shrubs with attractive, sometimes scented flowers in a wide variety of colors. Blooms continuously or once during the season, depending on variety. Excellent fall color and ornamental rose hips for winter interest. ‘Nearly Wild’ is a popular selection, easy to grow and disease-resistant. Avoid planting invasive listed R. eglanteria (sweetbriar rose) and R. multiflora (multiflora rose).

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 2–6 feet

Spread: 2–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–9

Flowers: various

Bloom time: May–July

Rosa woodsii

A native wild rose in the Pacific Northwest with a spreading growth habit. Produces single pink flowers in summer followed by ornamental, red hips. R. nutkana (Nootka rose) and R. gymnocarpa (bald-hip rose) are two other native species.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 3–6 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: pink

Bloom time: May–July

Salix species

Fast-growing shrubs with narrow leaves, dense branches and yellow fall color. Several native and cultivated species are available. Prefers additional moisture. Can be susceptible to insect and disease. Large, tree-form willows generally are not recommended for home landscapes due to invasive roots and weak wood. Prune out the dead wood and remove debris in willow to reduce a potential fuel source. A popular selection includes S. integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’ (dappled willow), grown for its attractive foliage. S. lucida (shining willow), S. scouleriana (Scouler’s willow) and S. lutea (yellow willow) are native. Flowers are not showy. Avoid planting potentially invasive species S. alba (white or crack willow).

• Moderate water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to bees and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 6–30 feet

Spread: 5–20 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–9

Salvia yangii

Formerly known as Perovskia atriplicifolia. Fine, feathery-textured shrub with silvery-gray leaves and a sagelike aroma. Produces beautiful, long-lasting, lavender-blue flowers in late summer. Do not overwater. May reseed or spread by rhizomes. May die back in colder areas and can be cut back to 12 inches in spring. The seedheads provide fall/winter food for some birds. Attracts hummingbirds and yellow finch. Best cultivars include ‘Blue Spires’ (sterile, so will not reseed), ‘Lacey Blue’ (dwarf) and ‘Little Spires’(dwarf).

• Low water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 3–5 feet

Spread: 3–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: lavender-blue

Bloom time: June–August

Sambucus species

A multi-stemmed shrub with arching, spreading branches. The purple leaf varieties are particularly showy. Has large white-pink blooms in summer followed by edible, purple-black fruit that can be used for jellies, jams and wine. Native varieties are S. cerulea (blue elderberry) and S. canadensis (red elderberry). One of the more spectacular varieties is S. nigra Black Lace™ which has finely dissected purplish-black leaves, pink flowers, and purple fruit.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant
• Native species and cultivars available

Height: 6-8 feet

Spread: 6-8 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4-9

Flowers: Creamy white, pink

Bloom time: May–July

Spiraea species

This popular, easy-care, clump-forming shrub produces white or pink bowl-shaped flowers. Leaves are generally green but can be tinted in shades of red or yellow. Many species and selections available, including ‘Anthony Waterer’, ‘Gold Mound’, ‘Gold Flame’, ‘Little Princess’ and ‘Neon Flash’. Some varieties attract hummingbirds.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 2–4 feet

Spread: 2–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–8

Flowers: white, pink

Bloom time: May–June

Spiraea douglasii

A medium-size shrub that produces fuzzy pink to purplish flowers in mid- to late summer. Often found along waterways. Useful in plantings near streams. Remove spent flowers. Yellow fall color.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 3–6 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: pink, purple

Bloom time: June–September

Symphoricarpos albus

Upright, arching shrub with bluish-green leaves. Pink flowers in summer, followed by white, rounded fruit, which persist through the winter. Attracts hummingbirds. All parts of the plants are poisonous to humans and pets.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 4–6 feet

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–7

Flowers: pinkish white

Bloom time: May–June

Syringa species

Large shrubs known for their beautiful, fragrant blossoms in spring. Prefers additional water to get established, then becomes more drought tolerant. Tough, adaptable plant. Many dwarf hybrids available; these may be better choices in a fire-wise landscape.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Deer-resistant

Height: 5–15 feet

Spread: 6–12 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 3–7

Flowers: purple, pink, white, lavender

Bloom time: May–June

Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’

An excellent rounded shrub. Green, maplelike foliage in summer changing to orange-red in fall. Produces white flowers followed by minimal red fruit in fall. Eastside exposure is best. Prune when flowers are spent.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds
• Deer-resistant

Height: 4–6 feet

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–7

Flowers: white

Bloom time: May–June