Tag Archives: Berries for Birds

Horticulture Report: Little Goblin® Dwarf Ilex verticillata

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Dwarf Ilex verticillata

Proven Winners®:  Little Goblin ® (female)   Little Goblin Guy® (male)

Ilex verticillata are dioecious meaning they are male or female plants.  A male plant is needed for female plants to produce berries.  One male plant can pollinate up to 10 female plants. Male plant must be planted within 50 ft of female plants, plus the male’s blooming time must align with female’s bloom time.

Common Name: Winterberry Holly

Plant type: Deciduous Dwarf  Shrub

Height: 3-4 feet        Width: 3-4 feet
Bloom Time: Late Spring

Flower Color:  White (small)
Exposure:  Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours)

Firewise: Yes- Low flammability, 6 feet of structure

Soil Requirements: Prefers rich organic acidic soil, but will grow in average garden soil.

Water Needs:  Moist Areas
Attributes: Vibrant Red Winter Berries; Important food source for American Robins; Winter Interest; Slow growing; Blooms on old wood  
Uses:  Bioswales, Wetland habitats, Native gardens, Bird habitat, Rain garden, Firewise garden, Wildlife gardens, Cutting garden, Container planting, Floral arrangements.
Native to: Eastern North America

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-9b

Firewise Plant: Lonicera ciliosa

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Plant Name: Lonicera ciliosa

Common names:  Western Trumpet Honeysuckle, Orange Honeysuckle, Climbing Honeysuckle

Plant Type: Twining vine, twigs hollow

Plant Height: 10-30 ft

Plant Width:  10-inch +

Bloom Time: Late Spring

Flower Color:  Orange/Red

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil Requirements: Organically Rich, Well-Drained, Moist Soil.

Water Needs: Moderate

Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1 – Plant 30’+ From Structure.

Attributes: Not Fragrant; Pollinated by the Rufous Hummingbird, Attracts Hummingbirds; Orange-Red Berries Attractive to Wildlife. Native range: British Columbia South to California, East to Montana and Utah.

Uses: Covering Fence or Trellis.

Note: Prone to Aphids, Powdery Mildew

Oregon Native or Naturalized in Oregon:  Yes

 USDA Hardiness Zone:  5

Resource: https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/lonicera-ciliosa

Oregon Native:Utah Serviceberry

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Plant Name:  Amelanchier utahensis
Common name:  Utah Serviceberry
Plant type:  Deciduous Shrub
Height:  3’ – 15’
Spread: 10′-15′
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Color:  White/Pink
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Tolerates most soils, but well-drained.
Water Needs:  Low – Medium
Attributes:  Browse Food for Birds & Wildlife; Hosts Butterflies & Moths; Attracts Pollinators.
Note:  Berries eaten by Birds; Deep Root System; Plant is Self-Fertile.
Uses: Accent Shrub; Windbreak Hedge
Native to:  Western United States
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  5 – 8
Fire Resistance Score: 5 (Zone 2: plant 60 ft away from house)

Report by: Viki Ashford & Carlotta Lucas

Photo by: Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Western Orange Trumpet Honeysuckle

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Plant Name:  Lonicera ciliosa
Common name:  Western Orange Trumpet Honeysuckle
Plant Type:  Deciduous Vine
Plant Height:  10’ – 30’
Spread: 30’
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Flower Color:  Orange Red Yellow; Orange-Red Berries
Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements:  Moist with Medium Drainage, not dry.
Water Needs: Regular
Attributes:  Hosts Butterflies & Moths, The orange-red berries are eaten by a variety of birds including robins, juncos, flickers, and finches; although not a favorite.
Note:  Check curled leaves for aphids & spray undersides with water.
Uses:  Trellis,  Hedge, Bird Garden, Host Gardens, Native Gardens
Native to:  British Columbia to California (west of Cascades)
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-9b

Report submitted by: Viki Ashford

Viburnum ellipticum

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Horticulture Report

Plant Name:  Viburnum ellipticum
Common name: Oregon Viburnum
Plant type:  Deciduous Shrub
Height:  3’ – 11’
Spread: 6’ – 10’
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color:  White
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs: Prefer semi-moist, but will tolerant dry
Attributes:  Supports Pollinators; Pest-eating insects & birds; 3-Season; Fall berries for birds. 
Interest: Showy flowers, Red leaves in fall and blue-black Berries  
Note:  Tolerates seasonal flooding & drought.  Grows along stream banks.
Uses:  As a Screen or Background Plant,  Use along high banks of creeks, margins of wet areas, and at edges of trees
Native to: Washington & Oregon west of the Cascades
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9

Report Submitted by: Viki Ashford