Oregon grape-holly is a semi-evergreen, upright to oval shrub maturing at 4 to 5 feet high and 3 feet wide with tendency to sucker. If so, how is this accomplished? Season: Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Late) Fall Winter. Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape holly, is a native American relative of leatherleaf. Prune branch tips back to increase density and direct the plants growth. Hardiness: 5 - 8 Sun: Partial Sun, Shade . Holly leaves aren't compound and the spines on the leaves are more noticeable and less regular. Any pruning at this time will remove this years fruit, but it will not reduce next years flowers. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Mahonia x media 'Buckland' (Oregon Grape). The spring flowers of Oregon grape in May There are three main species of Mahonia in British Columbia. … It grows best in acidic soils, but is tolerant of our alkaline soils. (#6) Ilex aquifolium Ilex, or holly, is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae [a new family on this blog, #76], and the only living genus in that family.The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The shrub’s appearance changes with the seasons. The holly-like compound leaves are comprised of 5-7 leaflets and are round to oval with spiny teeth. Oregon grape holly can take any exposure, though it does best with some shade in the Lower South and wind protection in the Upper South. A young fan picks a bunch of Oregon grape berries; the plant can be identified by its holly-like leaflets Salal and Oregon grape are two of the most common and recognizable understory plants in our Northwest forests, often living side by side in dense thickets. It is called “dull” because its leaves are not as shiny as Tall Oregon […] The Oregon grape is a low sprawling shrub with waxy, dark green leaves that look like holly leaves. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Mahonia x media 'Buckland' (Oregon Grape), Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Siberian Bugloss), Geranium phaeum 'Lily Lovell' (Cranesbill), Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' (Bloodtwig Dogwood), Native Plant Alternatives to Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo), Native Plant Alternatives to Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia), Native Plant Alternatives to Ilex aquifolium (English Holly), Great Shrubs with Fruits for Winter Interest for Mid-Atlantic Gardens, Great Shrubs with Berries for Winter Interest in the Northern and Central Midwest Region, Great Shrubs with Berries for Winter Interest for New England, Great Shrubs for Shady Gardens in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Great Shrubs for Shady Gardens in New England, Best Shrubs as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Want Garden Inspiration? Low Oregon grape have softer and duller leaves than holly or tall Oregon grape, and thrives better in shade conditions than either. There is a different but similar-looking species of mahonia from China called leatherleaf mahonia (M. bealei), which is highly invasive in the Southeast, but Oregon grape is well-behaved. aquifolium: the classical name for holly. Great Plant CombinationIdeas Note this is the default cart. Today, Oregon grape is commonly used as a substitute for goldenseal (which is now considered an endangered species due to over-harvesting), offering similar antimicrobial properties. There are three Pacific Northwest Oregon grape species. The Oregon Grape, also known as Oregon Grape Holly, is an American native shrub that is an attractive and useful low-growing evergreen for woods and shady gardens. We use cookies on this website, you can read about them here. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. It was so popular that it’s widespread use almost led to its extinction in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Identifying Oregon Grape: We have two species of Oregon grape in our region – tall Oregon grape (M. aquifolia) grows to 8 feet tall and dwarf or dull Oregon grape (M. nervosa) grows just a few feet tall. English holly is a dioecious shrub or medium-sized tree. Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolia) is grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 9. In final analysis, leatherleaf doesn't seem to be such a bad guy in many places, and can be useful and attractive in its own way. OREGON GRAPE/HOLLY compound vs. simple leaves a: one compound leaf -- leaflets are arranged in a specific, regular pattern that is repeated throughout the plant; leaflets never occur singly b: one leaflet Dwarf Oregon Grape (1a) (native) Mahonia nervosa compound leaves with 9-19 leaflets per leaf three central veins per leaflet (multiple large (Ma-HOE-nee-uh ak-wih-FOAL-ee-um) Names: Oregon Grapes have leaflets with sharp spines along their margin. This broadleaf evergreen needs little pruning, but when it is done, should be done after the flowers are spent. The leaflets of Oregon Grape somewhat resemble the leaves of English Holly, Ilex aquifolium. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. In fact, the species gets its name from the name for English Holly, Ilex aquifolium. The sprays of yellow flowers are one of the earliest flowers in the garden and are followed by blue berries that add interest in the fall. Because of this feature they are often confused with holly. Description: The Oregon grape plant grows from 2 to 6 feet high and makes an excellent choice for a barrier plant. Fresh clusters of bright buds and bronze leaves sprout in spring. Adding color and splendor to the shade garden, Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly) is a striking evergreen shrub with multi-season interest. Magonia aquifolium 'Compactum', or Compact Oregon Grape, is a small to medium (3-6 feet high and wide) semi-evergreen shrub. Botanical name: Mahonia aquifolium Other name(s): Holly Barberry, Holly Mahonia and more Family: Berberidaceae Edible: yes, but only the berries. Another very visible difference between true hollies and Oregon grape holly is the flowers. However, tall Oregon grape has opposite leaves where English holly has alternate leaves. Amer. Low Oregon grape also has opposite leaves. Leaves, long (30-45 cm) clustered at stem tips, pinnately compound, 11-21 leaflets, each 2.5-9.5 cm long, bristle-toothed, glossy green, may show purple in winter. The leaves are sharp and spiny. The reason Mahonia Aquifolium is referred to as Oregon Grape is because in the 1800’s the Mahonia Aquifolium was a food source and medicine along the Oregon trail, hence the popularity of the name. The genus Mahonia has now been included in the genus Berberis, hence the accepted name for Oregon Grape is Berberis aquifolium. The reason Mahonia Aquifolium is referred to as Oregon Grape is because in the 1800’s the Mahonia Aquifolium was a food source and medicine along the Oregon trail, hence the popularity of the name. Oregon grapes are wild, purple fruit that grow on the Mahonia shrub or Oregon grape plant, a member of the Barberry family. In spring the branches bear long, hanging clusters of lightly fragrant, yellow flowers which … But the world of cultivated and native shrubs is big. Cherry Laurel. Tall Oregon Grape The Barberry Family–Berberidaceae. They are Oregon grape, Oregon grape-holly, Oregon-grape, Oregongrape, mountain grape, Oregon hollygrape, holly-leaved barberry, tall mahonia, Oregon grapeholly, and Oregon holly-grape. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Holly’s wood is light brown when cut, whereas Mahonia wood is bright yellow, like its relatives, the barberries. Holly flowers are most often small and white, giving way eventually to the bright red berries that adorn our holiday decorations. Remove these suckers as they appear if you do not want this plant to naturalize. Mahonia aquifolium typically grows quite a bit larger than that, often reaching six feet tall and about four or five feet wide. It has a loose and sparse branching pattern with a rounded spreading form. Any pruning at this time will remove this years fruit, but it will not reduce next years flowers. Historically, humans valued bitters for their digestive stimulating and medicinal properties. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly) Add to Collection. It has bold, divided leaves that are bronzy in spring and rich glossy green all summer. Overview Information Oregon grape is a plant. Other Names: Mahonia spp. Create spectacular spring borders like this one. This woodland beauty is Oregon's state flower. Answer from NGA April 8, 2002. The Mahonia can be planted as a specimen or as a foundation shrub or border. In spring, racemes of cheerful, bright golden-yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. It has bold, divided leaves that are bronzy in spring and rich glossy green all summer. Glossy, holly-like … Aquifolium literally means leaves that have curved hooks like an eagle’s beak (aqui line is similarly derived). Recommended Alternative: Tall Oregon Grape Berberis aquifolium (synonym Mahonia aquifolium) Plant with a dense, upright, almost pillar-like habit and dark green holly-like leaves. Propagate by seeds, stem cuttings, or division of multi-stemmed parent plants. The specific epithet aquifolium denotes "sharp-leafed" (as in Ilex aquifolium, the common holly), referring to the spiny foliage. Spiny foliage emerges with bronze-red coloring, turns green as it matures, and develops a purple-red coloring in the winter. Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolia) is grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 9. Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium. Botanical Name: Berberis aquifolium, Mahonia aquifolium. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall by 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries. Hardiness and Growing Tips . How to Identify English Holly Vs. American Holly. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. If you are looking for a colorful, low care and drought... A border of Asters is an unforgettable spectacle in the... Get your winter landscape to burst into vivid life! The genus Mahonia has now been included in the genus Berberis, hence the accepted name for Oregon Grape is Berberis aquifolium. Specific epithet means with leaves like holly. To use the website as intended please  Brilliant yellow flowers in spring are followed by deep blue berries in fall. The Oregon Grape is in the family Berberidaceae, a group of flowering plants often referred to as barberries.