Botanical Name: Mahonia aquifolium
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Common Name: Oregon Grape  
Plant photo of: Mahonia aquifolium
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

Blue

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive, Thorns/Spines

Design Styles

Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Jerry Sortomme SBCC

  • Description

  • Notes

Oregon grape is a large, densely branched, rounded evergreen shrub growing 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Holly-like leaves emerge a bronzy red and mature to a glossy green; they have spiny barbs making it a good choice as a barrier. Even though it is evergreen, foliage turns a lovely purple-bronze in the fall. Clusters of fragrant yellow flowers appear April to May, and are followed by fruit that ripens from green to blue-black in late summer. 'Compacta' is a dwarf form growing between 3 and 4 feet tall and wide.
Grow in well drained soil and part to full shade. When planted in full sun, it invariably experiences scorch by mid-summer. Prefers soils high in organic content. Once established it requires only periodic watering. Spreads by stolons and can form a colony; a useful trait if placed appropriately.