EarthCorps envisions a world where people and nature thrive together. We empower people to become environmental leaders through restoring Puget Sound forests, streams, and shorelines. More than 10,000 youth, business leaders, and community members join us annually, as we work to sustain and restore our public parks for future generations to enjoy.

Invasive Shrubs Found in the Puget Sound Region

Himalayan blackberry (Rubus Scotch broom or Scot’s broom Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii ) is a armeniacus) and Evergreen blackberry (Cytisus scoparius) is an invasive plant very popular garden plant which has (Rubus laciniatus) form thick stands of commonly found in disturbed areas and escaped into natural areas. This shrub is impenetrable shrubs which exclude all along roadsides. It is one of the top five common along roadsides and disturbed other plants. In 2000, SUN’s citywide invasive plants found in Seattle’s public areas. It is one of the most recent survey showed Himalayan blackberry to lands. A member of the pea family, the additions to the King County Noxious be the most invasive plant in Seattle’s seedpods eject seeds up to 20 feet Weed List. The seeds are spread by public lands. These shrubs produce away. wind, birds, animals and people who tasty berries which are spread by birds brush up against the plant. all over the Pacific Northwest.

Scotch broom

Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) is an evergreen horticultural shrub introduced Butterfly bush from Eurasia. Spurge laurel can Himalayan establish in the shady forest understory Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) is a blackberry where it competes with native vegetation. popular landscaping shrub which grows leaves This shrub is spread by birds who eat the in low-light conditions in our forests. It (above) and berries. berries (right) produces berries in the winter and attracts birds which disperse the seeds. These plants have the potential to

displace native shrubs.

Photoscourtesy of NelsonSalisbury

Evergreen blackberry leaves Spurge laurel leaves and berries Cotoneaster

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EarthCorps envisions a world where people and nature thrive together. We empower people to become environmental leaders through restoring Puget Sound forests, streams, and shorelines. More than 10,000 youth, business leaders, and community members join us annually, as we work to sustain and restore our public parks for future generations to enjoy.

Native Shrubs for Landscaping

Vine maple (Acer Red flowering currant (Ribes Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is circinatum) is a shrub or sanguineum) is a shrub that can a very common plant found small tree which grows grow up to 10 feet tall. It produces in our forests. It produces to approximately 25 feet tall. Its beautiful pink flowers in the spring. small grape-like berries in the fall which beautiful, lobed leaves turn yellow to These flowers provide nectar for were gathered by Native Americans. bright red in the fall. It can grow in shade hummingbirds and butterflies. Salal makes a beautiful evergreen shrub or full sun. in the garden that can grow up to 15 feet tall.

Vine maple Red flowering currant Snowberry Salal (Symphoricarpos albus) is Mock orange a small to medium shrub (Philadelphus lewisii) is a capable of growing in a wide variety of small to medium shrub that Evergreen huckleberry conditions. It produces white berries in is great for native plant gardens due to (Vaccinium ovatum) is an the fall which last throughout most of the its ability to grow in a wide variety of evergreen shrub commonly winter. habitats. Its white, fragrant flowers and found in conifer forests. It produces pink, leaves can be crushed into a lather, and bell-shaped flowers and delicious were once used by Native Americans as purplish-black berries that go well in a

a form of soap. pancake breakfast.

Photoscourtesy of NelsonSalisbury

Evergreen huckleberry Mock orange

Snowberry leaves and berries To support EarthCorps or for more information, please visit www.earthcorps.org