Oregon grape holly is an evergreen, medium shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to the western United States, from Oregon to central Mexico. It is found growing as an understory plant of forests. The genus name comes from the Latinized form of the Arabian name for the fruit. The specific epithet is Latin for sharp leaves referring to the spines. This plant is the state flower of Oregon, hence its common name. The shrub grows 3 to 6 feet tall and and 2 to 5 feet wide in an upright form with few branches. It is drought tolerant and slow-growing plant with a tendency to sucker and form colonies. It grows best in light shade, as color will bleach out if grown in full sun but does require a few hours of sun per day to flower. It also dislikes summer heat. Outside of its native habitat it can become invasive. Two to three-inch racemes of yellow flowers in early spring are mildly fragrant and showy. The leaves are glossy and shiny with spines similar to holly. They turn purplish-bronze in the winter. The fruits are dark blue/purple and form in clusters similar to grapes that may persist into winter. The shrub can be pruned to size, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth. It is best planted in small groups in shade or woodland gardens. It also does well as a specimen or in foundation or shrub borders. Quick ID Hints: Odd pinnately compound, coriaceous leaves Holly-like leaflets with up to 12 spines per side Evergreen medium shrub with tiering habit Terminal, bright yellow flowers in early spring Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind. Chlorosis on high pH soils; leaves can look burned but stems will regrow leaves next spring. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Berberis .
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Oval
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Good Cut; Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. Leaflets (5-13) are sessile and coriaceous. Terminal leaflets are larger than laterals. Leaflets have spine-tipped teeth (up to 12 teeth per side), bases sometimes overlap, they are rigid and olive-green in color. Petiole encircles stem. New leaves red-tinted turn glossy dark green.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are bright yellow and weakly foetid. They are 2.5" in size and are mildly fragrant. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Green
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Deep dusty blue/black edible globose berries in clusters give excellent fall interest. They are less than an inch in size.
Bark detail
gray-brown color, not of ornamental importance
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Stems are roundish, stout, and become gray-brown as they mature. They have an inner yellow bark with a thickened corky appearance. They are thick and branch infrequently.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
South West Canada to Northern California
Distribution
Northern North America
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to fruits.
Attracts
Pollinators; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Berries make jelly, wine or purple dye; inner bark is used as a yellow dye.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Woodland
Landscape theme
Edible Garden; Shade Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Security; Specimen
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Armored Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants; Whiteflies Found on Flowers and Foliage; Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants; Indian Wax Scale Insect; Twobanded Japanese Weevil
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Spines/Thorns
Resistant to
Deer; Fire; Heavy Shade
Propagation
Division; Root Cutting; Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Bark; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Ingestion may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.