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Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly)

Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved Barberry, Tall Oregon Grape, Hollyleaf Barberry, Berberis aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium, Berberis piperiana, Mahonia piperiana, Odostemon aquifolium

Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved Barberry, Tall Oregon Grape, Hollyleaf Barberry
Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved Barberry, Tall Oregon Grape, Hollyleaf Barberry
Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved Barberry, Tall Oregon Grape, Hollyleaf Barberry

Adding color and splendor to the shade garden, Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly) is a striking evergreen shrub with multi-season interest. In spring, racemes of cheerful, bright golden-yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. Lightly fragrant, they attract pollinators before giving way to clusters of dark blue-purple, edible berries in late summer. Resembling small grapes, they attract birds and wildlife. They may be eaten fresh off the plant and make excellent jellies. The lustrous evergreen foliage of holly-like, leathery leaves emerges bronze-red in spring and matures to glossy dark green by summer before turning deep burgundy in fall. This small ornamental shrub is the State Flower of Oregon.

  • This broadleaf evergreen shrub has an upright to spreading habit and grows slowly, up to 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 2-5 ft. wide (60-150 cm). Oregon Grape spreads by suckers to form colonies. Remove these suckers as they appear if you do not want this plant to naturalize.
  • A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically richmoist, acidicwell-drained soils. Prefers part shade and doesn’t tolerate full sun. Protect your Oregon Grape from drying winds. Better fruit production if grown in groups
  • Deer resistant
  • No serious pest or disease issues. It may be occasionally affected by rust and leaf spots, aphids, scale, and whiteflies.
  • Perfect when massed in shady borders, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, and shade gardens. 
  • Propagate by seed, stem cuttings, or division of multi-stemmed parent plants.
  • Native to Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to northern California

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Mahonia
Common names Mahonia, Oregon Grape, Oregon Grape Holly
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spacing 24" - 60"
(60cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants California, United States, Northeast, New Jersey, New York, Midwest, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Southeast, Kentucky, Montana, Rocky Mountains
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Mahonia nervosa (Cascade Mahonia)
Mahonia fremontii (Fremont Barberry)
Mahonia trifoliolata (Agarita)
Mahonia x media ‘Buckland’ (Oregon Grape)
Mahonia japonica (Japanese Mahonia)
Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia)

Recommended Companion Plants

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian Bugloss)
Geranium phaeum ‘Lily Lovell’ (Cranesbill)
Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ (Wallflower)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Helleborus (Hellebore)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
Native Plant Alternatives to Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Mahonia
Common names Mahonia, Oregon Grape, Oregon Grape Holly
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spacing 24" - 60"
(60cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants California, United States, Northeast, New Jersey, New York, Midwest, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Washington, Southeast, Kentucky, Montana, Rocky Mountains
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Mahonia
Not sure which Mahonia to pick?
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