Pacific madrone
Arbutus menziesii
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
240"–960" H × 180"–480" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A broadleaf evergreen tree with smooth reddish bark that peels away in curling papery sheets to reveal a lighter trunk underneath. Clusters of small urn-shaped white flowers appear in spring, followed by orange-red berries that draw birds in fall.
Wildlife value
Flowers attract bees and hummingbirds, and the berries are an important fall and winter food source for birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Pacific madrone need?
- Pacific madrone grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Pacific madrone bloom?
- Pacific madrone blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Pacific madrone native?
- Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is native to CA, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Pacific madrone attract?
- Pacific madrone draws bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Pacific madrone? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz