Reestablishment of a diverse shrub understory as a component of riparian forests and woodlands is critical for biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and riparian vegetation functions including erosion resistance, and filtration of sediment, nutrients and contaminants. Rosa calitornica (California rose) and Sambucus mexican a (Blue elderberry) were selected for study as they are found throughout the California Central Valley in several widespread riparian vegetation types. In addition, blue elderberry is a host species for the threatened Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus). Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to provide basic understanding of establishment requirements and understanding of the nutrient dynamics of the species and ecosystem.