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Oregon Grape Holly Berberis aquifolium 'Orange Flame'

Other plants called Oregon Grape Holly:

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.

More information on Berberis aquifolium.

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Tags:
#showy flowers#orange leaves#shade garden#woody#security plant#deer resistant#copper leaves#spines#border planting#evergreen shrub#border back#compact habit#bird friendly#perennial#showy fruit#hedge#partial shade#woodland garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#orange leaves#shade garden#woody#security plant#deer resistant#copper leaves#spines#border planting#evergreen shrub#border back#compact habit#bird friendly#perennial#showy fruit#hedge#partial shade#woodland garden
  • 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