Oemleria cerasiformis, osoberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Oemleria cerasiformis

osoberry

Rosaceae

British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon to California; moist forest edges, stream banks, and woodland understories

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 m)
Width5-10 feet (1.5-3 m)
Maturity7 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (moderate)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to moist forest edges, stream banks, and woodland understories from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California — one of the earliest-blooming native shrubs in the Pacific Northwest. The specific epithet cerasiformis means 'cherry-shaped,' referring to the shape of the fruits. Plants grow 5–15 feet (1.5–4.5 m) tall, typically with multiple upright stems and an open, somewhat vase-shaped habit. The oblong to lance-shaped leaves 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long with smooth margins emerge bright green and tend to yellow and drop early in fall. Oemleria cerasiformis is dioecious — male and female flowers are borne on separate plants; only female plants produce fruit. From February through April, before or just as the leaves emerge, the branches bear drooping racemes of small, fragrant, white, five-petaled flowers 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) across with a distinctive sweet almond scent — among the first native shrubs to bloom in the PNW, often blooming through frost. Female plants produce clusters of small, plum-like drupes 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) long that ripen from green through yellow to blue-black or dark purple by June–July and are consumed by band-tailed pigeons, cedar waxwings, and other frugivorous birds. Non-toxic; fruits are edible but bitter raw.

Native Range

Native to moist forest edges, stream banks, and woodland understories from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a native wildlife shrub, woodland edge plant, or understory shrub in Pacific Northwest shade gardens at 4–6 foot (1.2–1.8 m) spacing. Among the most ecologically valuable early-blooming native PNW shrubs — the February–April almond-scented flowers provide critical early nectar when little else is available, while the June–July fruits feed frugivorous birds. Include both male and female plants for fruit production. Combines naturally with Corylus cornuta, Lonicera involucrata, and Holodiscus discolor in woodland edge and forest understory shrub plantings.

How to Identify

Identified as a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub 5–15 feet (1.5–4.5 m) bearing drooping racemes of small, fragrant, white, five-petaled flowers 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) across in February–April — before or just as the bright green lance-shaped leaves emerge. The sweet almond fragrance of the flowers is a reliable field character. Dioecious — male plants bloom slightly before females. Female plants produce small blue-black to dark purple plum-like drupes by June–July. The very early bloom time, almond-scented drooping flower clusters, and smooth-margined bright green lance-shaped leaves are collectively diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 15'
Width/Spread5' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
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Spring
One of the earliest-blooming native shrubs in the Pacific Northwest, blooming February through April — often before the leaves fully emerge and sometimes through frost. Bears drooping racemes of small, sweetly almond-scented, white, five-petaled flowers on bare or budding branches. Dioecious — male plants bloom slightly earlier than females. Provides critical early-season nectar for Anna's hummingbirds, early native bees, and butterflies overwintering in the region. Female plants follow with clusters of small plum-like drupes ripening blue-black by June–July.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white; five-petaled drooping racemes 0.3–0.5 inch with distinctive sweet almond fragrance; Feb–April — among earliest-blooming native PNW shrubs; DIOECIOUS — male and female on separate plants; cerasiformis = 'cherry-shaped'; female plants produce blue-black plum-like drupes June–July

Foliage Description

bright green; oblong to lance-shaped 2–4 inches with smooth margins; emerge with or just after flowers; yellow and drop early in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-7 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to full shade in moist to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.5. One of the most adaptable native PNW shrubs — tolerates deep shade, moist to periodically dry soils, and a wide range of soil types. Spreads slowly by root sprouts, forming thickets over time. To ensure fruiting, plant both male and female plants — at least one male per two to three females. No fertilizer needed. Drought-tolerant once established in average garden conditions.

Pruning

Remove dead or crossing stems to the base in late winter. Thin oldest canes every few years to maintain vigor. Remove root sprouts to manage spread. Can be cut back hard for renewal in late winter — responds vigorously.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic