Grapeholly Berberis ilicina

Grapeholly is an upright evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) typically found in northeastern Mexico. It is a slow-growing, drought tolerant plant with a tendency to spread through suckers and form  colonies.

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.

This plant has incredibly long racemes of beautiful, fragrant, creamy yellow flowers and leaves that are glossy and shiny like a holly and turn purplish-bronze in the winter. It late summer the berries mature to purplish grape-like fruits.

Use this shrub as an accent, in the border or mass planted for a hedge. Birds are attracted to the fruits.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and other Plant Problems:   Fungal diseases like Septoria leaf spot and black spot, as well as insects as aphids, berberis sawfly, and webworms

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.