Grapeholly Berberis ilicina
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Mahonia ilicina
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is il-icina
- Description
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Grapeholly is an upright evergreen shrub in the barberry family typically found in northeastern Mexico. It is a slow-growing, drought tolerant plant with a tendency to spread through suckers and form colonies. This plant has incredibly long racemes of beautiful, fragrant, creamy yellow flowers that provide winter interest and will do well in the landscape planted in the back of a border. The leaves are glossy and shiny like a holly and turn purplish-bronze in the winter.
Grapeholly grows best in light shade, but does require a few hours of sun each day to flower. It also dislikes summer heat. It is best planted in small groups in shade or woodland gardens. It does not like highly alkaline soils and will become chlorotic in high pH soils and desiccating winds.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and other Plant Problems:
This plant has known pest problems.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- ilicina
- Family:
- Berberis
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northeastern Mexico
- Distribution:
- Endemic to northeastern Mexico in the states of Hidalgo and Tamaulipas.
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the fruit.
- Edibility:
- Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Rows of grape-like, blue-black, berry fruits appear in the summer on the branches that may persist through December.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Very long racemes 2 to 3 feet long that branch out with creamy, 6-petaled flowers that have yellow centers and appear in the winter and remain on the plant for a long bloom season.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Stiff spiky leathery pinnately compound leaves with 9-11 leaflets.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
