Tag Archives: Deer Resistant Shrubs

Firewise/Oregon Native: Evergreen Huckleberry

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Plant Name:  Vaccinium ovatum
Common name:  Evergreen Huckleberry
Plant Type:  Shrub
Plant Height:  3’ – 5’
Plant Width:  6’
Bloom Time:  Spring
Flower Color: White Flowers followed by Edible Blue-Black Berries in Late Summer.
Exposure:  Full Sun to Deep Shade
Soil Requirements:  Well-Drained, Acidic, Sandy Soil; Will Tolerate Clay if Good Drainage.
Water Need:  Regular Water to Drought Tolerant.
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Evergreen; Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds; Multiple Season Interest; Deer Resistant.
Uses:  Stems Used in Flower Arranging; Hedgerow; Container Plant; Shrub Border; Foundation Plantings. Native Gardens, Woodland gardens, Edible native plants
Note:  Little Pruning Needed.
Native to:  Pacific Northwest
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/ Master Gardener

Oregon Native: Calycanthus occidentalis

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Plant Name:  Calycanthus occidentalis
Common name:  California or Western Sweetshrub or Spice Bush
Plant Type:  Deciduous Shrub
Plant Height:  3’ – 13’
Plant Width:  3’ – 13’
Bloom Time: Late Spring – Early Autumn
Flower Color: Dark Red to Burgundy to Purplish Brown
Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Sun; Will Tolerate Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a Wide Variety of Soil.
Water Need:  Med to High
Attributes: Pollinated by Beetles; Hosts Butterflies & Moths; Deer Resistant; Yellow Fall Color.
Firewise: Yes
Uses: Hedge, Butterfly Garden; Shrub Border; Foundation Plant; Woodland Garden.
Note:  Bark has strong Camphor smell when scraped; Strongly Scented Flowers; Prune Immediate after Flowering; Flowers only last a day or two.
Native to:  Western US
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC member/ Master Gardener

Horticulture Report: Elaeagnus pungens ‘Hosoba Fukurin’

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Plant Name: Elaeagnus pungens ‘Hosoba Fukurin’
Common name:  ‘Hosoba Fukurin’ Variegated Silverberry
Plant Type:  Evergreen Shrub
Plant Height:  5-6’
Plant Width: 5- 6’
Bloom Time:  Fall
Flower Color:  Tiny Fragrant Off-White flowers followed by red berries
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Well Drained Clay or Alkaline
Water Need:  Regular Water, but Dry in Summer.
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Gray-Green Leaves with Yellow Margins; Red Berries Attract Wildlife, Winter Interest; Good Cut Stems for Flower Arranging; Strong Fragrance; Deer Resistant, Salt ann Wind Tolerant
Uses:  Screen; Hedge; Container Plant, Plant for dry shade areas, Wildlife Habitat  
Note:  Prune Late Fall After Flowering; Thorny Branches.
Native to:  Japan
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AG Member/Master Gardener and Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Photo: Forest Farm Nursery At Pacifica https://www.forestfarm.com/elaeagnus-pungens-hosoba-fukurin-elpu028

Clemson Variegated Silverberry

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Plant Name:  Elaeagnus pungens ‘Clemson Variegated’
Common name:  ‘Clemson Variegated’ Silverberry; Thorny Olive; Silver Thorn
Plant Type:  Evergreen Shrub
Plant Height:  6’ – 10’
Plant Width:  6’ – 10’
Bloom Time:  October – November
Flower Color:  White Flowers followed by Red Fruit
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Wide Range of Soils with Good Drainage.
Water Need:  Regular
Firewise: Medium Flammability
Attributes: Deer Resistant; Fragrant, Showy Flowers; Attracts Songbirds & Bees; Drought Resistant; Winter Interest; Variegated Leaves of Green, Gold, Yellow
Uses:  Background Plant; Wind Break; Screen.
Note:  Thorns
Native to:  China & Japan
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 11

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener

Photo from: Oregon State University Dept. of Horticulture https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/node/2132

Posted by: Carlotta Lucas

Oregon Native: Red Elderberry

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Plant Name:  Sambucus racemosa
Common name: Red Elderberry

Plant Type:  Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 10’ – 20’
Width:  8′-10′
Bloom Time: April – July
Flower Color: Creamy White Flowers Followed by Bright Red Berries.
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Moist, Well Draining Loamy, Silty, Nutrient Rich.
Water Needs: High Moisture
Attributes:  Nectar for Hummingbirds; Fragrant Flowers; Attracts Butterflies; Deer Resistant.
Note: Susceptible to Viral Canker, Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot, Cane Borers.


Uses: Soil Stabilization; Wildlife Garden; Hedge.
Native to:  Most of North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7

” Warning: Red Elderberry Fruits are not edible when raw, but when cooked they make a good jam, pie, and wine.” (Oregon State University)

Report By: Viki Ashford, AGC member & Master Gardener

Photos from: Oregon State University https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/sambucus-nigra-subsp-cerulea

Oregon Native: Blue Elderberry

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Plant Name:  Sambucus nigra caerulea
Common name: Blue Elderberry
Plant Type:  Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 6’ – 20’
Spread:  6’ – 20’
Bloom Time:  Spring to Fall
Flower Color: Cream or Yellow Flowers & Blue Berries in Fall.
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Requirements:  Tolerates a variety of moist soils,
but prefers well-drained.
Water Needs: Regular Irrigation.
Attributes:  Food Source for Birds; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees & Butterflies.
Note: Accepts Pruning Easily; Susceptible to Canker, Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot, Spider Mites, Aphids, Borers.
Uses: Bee, Bird, Butterfly Gardens; Bank Stabilization; Hedge; Pond/Steam Edge Planting.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photos from: Oregon State University https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/sambucus-nigra-subsp-cerulea