'Orange Flame' Grape Holly Berberis aquifolium 'Orange Flame'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is awk-wih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
-
'Orange Flame' is a compact cultivar in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). Its parent is native to the western United States.
This plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and needs a partly shaded environment. Plant it in moist, well-drained, acidic, organically rich soils with protection from the wind and full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established. The branches grow in a tiering habit and the shrub will sucker to form colonies.
It has copper-orange new leaves and dark green glossy mature leaves. Bright lemon-yellow flowers appear in the early spring in clusters and are mildly fragrant. The round purple berries appear in summer to fall in grape-like clusters.
It does well as a specimen, in foundation or shrub borders. It is best planted in small groups in partly shaded or woodland gardens.
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. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies.
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- aquifolium
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Northern California
- Distribution:
- Northern North America
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to fruit.
- Edibility:
- Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children. Eat in moderation.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- 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
- 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. Plant more than one shrub for best fruit production.
-
-
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
- Orange
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- 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.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Security
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
