Students for Stewardship The Cork Board
← Back to the library

Hybrid Grapeholly

Berberis (BER-ber-is)

Family: Berberidaceae Unknown Shrub

Mahonia J.C. Rauston, a spectacular hybrid developed by Tom Ranney and his team at NC State University, is a cross between two North American congeners: B. aquifolium ‘Golden Abundance’ and its rare Mexican counterpart, B. lanceolata . The result is a cold-hardy, medium-sized shrub with billowy plumes of golden flowers in late winter. Brilliant, infertile flowers are borne on 12″ long panicles. Cold hardy to USDA zone 6. The shrub can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth. Developed at NC State University, this plant was named in honor of the late Dr. J.C. Raulston, the first director of the NC State University Arboretum (now the JC Raulston Arboretum). Dr. Raulston had a keen interest in both Mahonia and Mexican flora, so it is particularly fitting to name this plant after him. I The plant is not currently on the market but may be in the future. More information on Berberis .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 40 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Native alternatives Berberis canadensis

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Shiny, spiky evergreen leaves
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
> 6 inches
Bloom time
Winter
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry

Edibility

Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.

Landscape Use
Design feature
Border; Hedge; Security
Garden tags
#hardy #evergreen #evergreen shrub #yellow flowers #nci #problem for dogs #problem for cats #poisonous if ingested
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Spines/Thorns
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Bark; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Ingestion of the toxic parts can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Toxic principle
Berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Bark; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.