Mahonia aquifolium

Common Names

Oregon Grape, Tall Oregon Grape, Holly-Leaved Barberry, Mountain Grape, Rocky Mountain Grape, Grape Holly, Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Hollygrape, Oregon Grapeholly

Summary

Mahonia aquifolium is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest, with holly-like glossy pinnate leaves and a spreading habit, it typically grows 0.5–1 m tall with 1–1.5 m spread, bears upright racemes of fragrant yellow flowers in spring, and produces blue berries 7–14 mm in diameter that are edible, it prefers partial to full shade with moist, well-drained acidic soil and tolerates a range of soils, drought-tolerant once established and hardy to about -15°C, propagation by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings, berries edible and usable for jellies, while flowers attract pollinators and berries feed birds, regular pruning helps control size, ideally after old leaves drop, and mulch with organic material, avoid alkaline soils to prevent chlorosis, rust and powdery mildew may occur

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

36-72 inches

Spread

3.5-5 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial sun to partial shade; can grow in full sun but may suffer in hot summers without some shade; can grow in full shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.0–7.4 (acidic to neutral).

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-7.4, Acidic to neutral, Not high pH soils, avoid alkaline

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green (evergreen foliage; may turn purplish in winter)

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinators, attracts birds