What hardiness zones is Mahonia aquifolium suitable for?

Mahonia aquifolium is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Mahonia aquifolium?

Mahonia aquifolium requires Part Shade.

How much water does Mahonia aquifolium need?

Mahonia aquifolium has Low water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Mahonia aquifolium

Oregon grape

Berberidaceae

Western North America — Alaska to northern California, east to Idaho, Montana, and Alberta; coniferous forest understory, rocky slopes, and disturbed areas

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At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m)

Width3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Mahonia aquifolium is Oregon grape (Oregon grape holly), an upright evergreen shrub growing 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide. Bright yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) in March-April (4 weeks). Dusty blue-black edible berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) in summer. Pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 holly-like spiny-margined leaflets 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm); bronze-red new growth, glossy dark green in summer, purple-burgundy in winter. In Berberidaceae. Aquifolium = holly-leaved. State flower of Oregon. Berries edible (tart — jams, wine). Inner bark bright yellow (berberine). Spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies — this suckering habit requires management in confined spaces. Native to western North America. Leaf scorch in full hot sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9. Part shade to full sun or full shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to western North America — Alaska to northern California, east to Idaho, Montana, and Alberta. Found in coniferous forest understory, rocky slopes, and disturbed areas.

Suggested Uses

Grown in woodland gardens, native plantings, as an evergreen hedge, and in containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L), spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m). Oregon state flower. Edible berries. Purple winter color. Native to PNW. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

How to Identify

Identified by pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 holly-like spiny-margined glossy leaflets, bright yellow flower racemes in early spring, and dusty blue-black berries. The holly-like pinnate leaves (vs. simple holly-like leaves of Ilex) are the key diagnostic. In Berberidaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Early spring (March-April). Bright yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). 4 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited. Dusty blue-black edible berries follow in summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, small, in dense terminal racemes 2-3 inches (5-7 cm); March-April; followed by dusty blue-black berry clusters 0.3 inch (8 mm) in summer — the berries are edible (tart, used in jams and wine)

Foliage Description

Bronze-red new growth; glossy dark green in summer; purple to burgundy in winter; pinnately compound with 5-9 holly-like spiny-margined leaflets 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) each

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade Full Shade

Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part shade to full sun or full shade (2-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.0-7.5. Drought-tolerant once established. Tolerates clay, rocky soil, and shade. Leaf scorch in full hot sun. Spreads by rhizomes — manage unwanted suckers. Prune after flowering (April-May). Berries edible. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

Pruning

Prune after flowering (April-May) to shape. Remove oldest leggy stems at the base to encourage fresh basal growth. Remove unwanted rhizome suckers to control spread. Tolerates renovation pruning to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm).

Pruning Schedule

early springlate spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 7 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic