Berberis nervosa

Common Names

Cascade Oregon Grape, Cascade Barberry, Dull Oregon Grape, Dwarf Oregon Grape, Longleaf Mahonia

Summary

Berberis nervosa is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest, typically 0.1–0.8 m tall (occasional individuals up to about 2 m) with monomorphic stems and holly-like compound leaves of 9–21 leaflets. Leaves are dull, with a glaucous adaxial side, and dense racemes of 30–70 yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by blue, glaucous berries 8–11 mm in diameter. The plant is rhizomatous, forming ground-cover clumps, and occurs from sea level to about 1800 m in open or shaded woods and rocky areas across British Columbia and the western United States.

Cultivation and uses: tolerates sun or shade in a range of soils from moist but well-drained to drier sites, with acidic to moderately acidic soil (pH roughly 4.0–7.0) and good drainage; hardy to cold (down to -15°F). Propagation options include seed (with stratification of several months) or vegetative methods such as cuttings, layering, rhizome division, or suckers. Uses include erosion control and site stabilization due to rhizomatous growth, and ornamental ground cover under conifers or deciduous trees; fruits attract wildlife and nectar can attract hummingbirds; caution: toxic to humans and to dogs and cats.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

20-39 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to full shade; tolerates sun and shade, including partial shade.

Soil Type

Adaptable to a variety of soils, with no single ideal soil type specified, well-drained soils such as rocky, loam, clay, or sand, and acidic conditions (pH 4.0–7.0)

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

5.1-6.5, acidic soil

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green evergreen foliage

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth; takes about 5–10 years to reach its ultimate height.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and other pollinators