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Berberis aquifolium

Previously known as:

  • Mahonia aquifolium
Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is awk-wih-FOH-lee-um
Description

'Oregon Grape holly' is an evergreen, medium shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall, and is upright and scarcely branching. Drought tolerant, this slow-growing plant has a tiering habit and cane-like growth with tendency to sucker and form colonies.  It grows best in light shade, as color will bleach out if grown in full sun; it does require a few hours of sun per day to flower. It also dislikes summer heat. 

Two to three inch racemes of yellow flowers in early spring are mildly fragrant and showy, with an abundant amount of raisin-sized blue-black berries in summer that crown the branches with rows of waxy, bluish fruit that may persist through December. 

The leaves are glossy and shiny like a holly. They turn purplish-bronze in the winter. The fruits are dark blue/purple and form in clusters like grapes, but this shrub is neither a grape nor a holly.  This plant is the state flower of Oregon, hence its common name.  It is a member of the barberry family Berberidaceae. Some consider it one of the best garden shrubs for eastern gardens, and is from the Lewis and Clark Expedition collection.  It is best planted in small groups in shade or woodland gardens. It also does well as a specimen or in foundation or shrub borders. It does not like highly alkaline soils and will become chlorotic in high pH soils and desiccating winds. This plant has known pest problems. The shrub can be pruned to size, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind.  Chlorosis on high pH soils; leaves can look burned but stems will regrow leaves next spring.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Odd pinnately compound, coriaceous leaves
  • Holly-like leaflets with up to 12 spines per side
  • Evergreen medium shrub with tiering habit
  • Terminal, bright yellow flowers in early spring

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Relaxed Foundation Planting
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compactum'
    Reaches only 3'; bronze leaves in winter
  • 'King's Ransom'
    Hybrid, upright grower 5' blue-green foliage, bronze/purple in winter
  • 'Mayhan Strain'
    Dwarf, glossy leaves
  • 'Orange Flame' leaves and form
    Copper-orange new leaves
  • 'Repens'
    Ground cover
  • 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald'
    4' tall, lustrous deep green leaves, bronze/purple in winter.
'Compactum', 'King's Ransom', 'Mayhan Strain', 'Orange Flame', 'Repens', 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#native shrub#fall interest#security plant#year-round interest#dye plant#deer resistant#spines#foundation planting#edible fruits#pollinator plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compactum'
    Reaches only 3'; bronze leaves in winter
  • 'King's Ransom'
    Hybrid, upright grower 5' blue-green foliage, bronze/purple in winter
  • 'Mayhan Strain'
    Dwarf, glossy leaves
  • 'Orange Flame' leaves and form
    Copper-orange new leaves
  • 'Repens'
    Ground cover
  • 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald'
    4' tall, lustrous deep green leaves, bronze/purple in winter.
'Compactum', 'King's Ransom', 'Mayhan Strain', 'Orange Flame', 'Repens', 'Smaragd' or 'Emerald'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#native shrub#fall interest#security plant#year-round interest#dye plant#deer resistant#spines#foundation planting#edible fruits#pollinator plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Species:
    aquifolium
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Berries make jelly, wine or purple dye; inner bark is used as a yellow dye.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South West Canada to Northern California
    Distribution:
    Northern North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to fruits.
    Edibility:
    Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Oval
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Deep dusty blue/black edible globose berries in clusters give excellent fall interest. They are less than an inch in size.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are bright yellow and weakly foetid. They are 2.5" in size and are mildly fragrant. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. Leaflets (5-13) are sessile and coriaceous. Terminal leaflets are larger than laterals. Leaflets have spine-tipped teeth (up to 12 teeth per side), bases sometimes overlap, they are rigid and olive-green in color. Petiole encircles stem. New leaves red-tinted turn glossy dark green.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    gray-brown color, not of ornamental importance
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are roundish, stout, and become gray-brown as they mature. They have an inner yellow bark with a thickened corky appearance. They are thick and branch infrequently.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Security
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Fire
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns