Plant Detail

Mahonia aquifolium

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, 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 rich, moist, acidic, well-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. May be occasionally affected by rust and leaf spots, aphids, scale and whiteflies.
  • Perfect when massed in shady borders, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, shade gardens. 
  • Propagate by seeds, stem cuttings, or division of multi-stemmed parent plants.
  • Native to Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to northern California

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Requirement
Hardiness 8,9
Heat Zones 8,9
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Late Summer
Height 3' - 4'
Spread 2' - 3'
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
Planting Place Banks and Slopes