Salal

Salal is a native evergreen groundcover shrub of Western Washington's coastal forests and forest floors, a low to moderate-sized multi-stemmed species with waxy, urn-shaped white or pinkish flowers in late spring and edible blue-black berries in fall. The leaves are glossy, oval to oblong, leathery, and dark green year-round. The flowers appear in upright clusters (racemes) and are fragrant. The berries ripen to a deep blue-black color with a pale waxy bloom and are highly valued by native peoples and wildlife. The plant rarely exceeds 3-5 feet in shade but can reach 8+ feet in open sites.

In Western Washington, salal is an excellent native evergreen groundcover for shaded, acidic sites with moist, well-drained soils. The plant spreads slowly by underground rhizomes, eventually forming substantial colonies; it is also easily propagated from seed. Growth is moderate to slow, especially in shade. The plant requires consistent moisture in the growing season but is relatively drought-tolerant once established, particularly in maritime settings with cool, humid summers. Few pests or diseases affect salal. The edible berries are traditionally harvested in late summer and early fall by indigenous peoples; the commercial berry-picking industry harvests wild salal in coastal forests. For forest restoration, shade gardening, and wildlife habitat, salal is invaluable; its dense, glossy foliage, fragrant flowers, and edible berries provide multi-purpose function. The evergreen character provides year-round structure and privacy.