Slow-growing and hard to find in nurseries, our native Pacific Madrone is synonymous with our Salish Sea shorelines and many other local habitats! In our region, Madrones are most often found on dry, sunny sites, often on coastal bluffs with fast-draining soils and a southern or western exposure, where their deep tap root binds many layers of soil and helps prevent surface erosion.
Madrones are beloved for their attractive peeling bark, glossy evergreen leaves, and showy flowers and fruit. The species produces sweet-smelling flowers in spring that attract many hummingbirds and bees, and they often produce a second crop of flowers and fruit in the late summer/early fall
Madrone is an important species for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Fall-ripening berries last until December (and occasionally beyond). These big red fruits are a favorite food for many bird species in the region, including band-tailed pigeons, quails, robins and thrushes. Deer also enjoy the fruits, and occasionally will nip at the freshly emerging leaves, so young trees may need to be caged to prevent deer browse until they are large enough to be resilient.
In the landscape, you need the right spot for a Pacific Madrone to thrive. It can ultimately grow to 100 ft. tall, though it usually tops out at 30 to 75 feet — either way, you need some space! Next, you need free-draining soils and plenty of sunshine. Madrones grow best when left undisturbed without pruning or regular irrigation, as you introduce various blights with cuts to the stem or too much water.
You will also need some patience. This tree takes time to put on height, so remember that you’re growing these for future generations!
Note: These are 1-gal plants that we’ve been growing a few years, so they are well-rooted below but small on top. Madrones do best when planted outside as small trees where they can be free of the confines of a plastic pot and send their deep root to explore their new “forever home”!
Slow-growing and hard to find in nurseries, our native Pacific Madrone is synonymous with our Salish Sea shorelines and many other local habitats! In our region, Madrones are most often found on dry, sunny sites, often on coastal bluffs with fast-draining soils and a southern or western exposure, where their deep tap root binds many layers of soil and helps prevent surface erosion.
Madrones are beloved for their attractive peeling bark, glossy evergreen leaves, and showy flowers and fruit. The species produces sweet-smelling flowers in spring that attract many hummingbirds and bees, and they often produce a second crop of flowers and fruit in the late summer/early fall
Madrone is an important species for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Fall-ripening berries last until December (and occasionally beyond). These big red fruits are a favorite food for many bird species in the region, including band-tailed pigeons, quails, robins and thrushes. Deer also enjoy the fruits, and occasionally will nip at the freshly emerging leaves, so young trees may need to be caged to prevent deer browse until they are large enough to be resilient.
In the landscape, you need the right spot for a Pacific Madrone to thrive. It can ultimately grow to 100 ft. tall, though it usually tops out at 30 to 75 feet — either way, you need some space! Next, you need free-draining soils and plenty of sunshine. Madrones grow best when left undisturbed without pruning or regular irrigation, as you introduce various blights with cuts to the stem or too much water.
You will also need some patience. This tree takes time to put on height, so remember that you’re growing these for future generations!
Note: These are 1-gal plants that we’ve been growing a few years, so they are well-rooted below but small on top. Madrones do best when planted outside as small trees where they can be free of the confines of a plastic pot and send their deep root to explore their new “forever home”!
