Berberis aquifolium

Common Names

Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved Barberry, Oregon Grape Holly, Oregon Holly Grape, Tall Oregon Grape, Mountain Grape, Rocky Mountain Grape

Summary

Oregon grape, holly-leaved barberry, is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest, typically 3–6 ft tall and 3–6 ft wide, with holly-like spiny leaflets on pinnately compound leaves; new growth is red-tinted and summer foliage is dark green with winter burgundy-purple color; bright yellow flowers appear in early spring, followed by blue-black berries in clusters that are edible; it forms dense colonies via suckers or rhizomes and grows as an understory plant in conifer forests.

Prefers light shade to full shade on well-drained, acidic soils and is drought-tolerant once established, needing more water in the first year; tolerates a range of soils and sites but heavy shade reduces growth and bloom; commonly used as hedge, ground cover, border, or woodland/shade garden and valued for wildlife benefits as fruits attract birds; berries edible and can be used in jellies or wines; propagation by seed or division of suckers; pruning is minimal with removal of dead or damaged wood; hardy in USDA zones 5–9; watch for rust and powdery mildew and manage if observed.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 ft

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

Soil Type

Moist, organically rich, acidic, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil; cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions.

Soil pH

6.0-7.5, Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green (dark green; may turn purple, bronze, or reddish in fall/winter)

Fall Foliage Color

Purple, red, orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds are attracted