Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium

'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.

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.