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 from Alaska to northern California, east to Idaho, Montana, and Alberta

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.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

An upright, suckering broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide. Growth rate is moderate, adding 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) per year. Spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies over time. Leaves are pinnately compound, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long, with 5-9 (occasionally 11) holly-like leaflets, each 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with spiny, serrated margins. New growth emerges bronze to reddish-bronze in spring, maturing to glossy dark green by summer. In fall and winter, foliage develops purple, reddish-purple, or burgundy tones, particularly in sun-exposed sites and during cold weather. Flowers appear in March to April in dense, terminal racemes 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, bright yellow, each individual flower approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) across. Fruit is a cluster of globose berries approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) in diameter, ripening from green to dusty blue-black with a glaucous bloom by July to August, resembling small grapes. Berries are tart and edible, historically used by Indigenous peoples and in jelly-making. Bark is yellowish on young stems from the presence of berberine alkaloid; inner bark is bright yellow. Oregon state flower. Susceptible to powdery mildew and rust (Cumminsiella mirabilissima), which can defoliate plants in humid conditions, particularly in shaded, poorly ventilated sites. Hardy to approximately -20°F (-29°C).

Native Range

Native to western North America from southeastern Alaska and British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, and northern California, and east to Idaho, Montana, and Alberta. Found naturally in coniferous and mixed forests, woodland edges, and open rocky slopes from sea level to approximately 7,000 feet (2,100 m) elevation. The state flower of Oregon.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted in native plant gardens, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Used as an informal hedge, foundation planting, or understory shrub beneath native conifers. Berries provide food for birds and can be harvested for jelly and preserves. Tolerates competition from tree roots, dry shade under conifers, and poor soils. Suitable for erosion control on slopes. Suitable for containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L).

How to Identify

Identified by pinnately compound evergreen leaves with 5-9 holly-like leaflets featuring spiny, serrated margins and a glossy surface. Distinguished from Mahonia nervosa (dwarf Oregon grape) by the taller, upright habit (3-6 feet vs. 1-2 feet / 0.9-1.8 m vs. 0.3-0.6 m), fewer leaflets per leaf (5-9 vs. 9-19), and wider, more ovate leaflet shape. Bright yellow flowers in terminal racemes and dusty blue-black berry clusters are diagnostic. Inner bark and stem cross-sections are bright yellow due to berberine alkaloid content.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

bronze

purple

burgundy

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowers from March to April in USDA zones 5-8. Dense terminal racemes of bright yellow flowers, each 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, appear before or with new leaf growth. Bloom lasts 3-4 weeks. Dusty blue-black berries with a glaucous bloom ripen in July to August in grape-like clusters. Flowers are among the earliest spring nectar sources for native bees, emerging bumble bee queens, and other early-season pollinators.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow

Foliage Description

Bronze-red new growth; glossy dark green in summer; purple to burgundy in winter

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

loamclaysandrocky

Drainage

well 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

Tolerates a wide range of conditions from full sun to deep shade, though foliage quality varies: full sun in dry climates causes leaf scorch and faded foliage, while deep shade results in leggier growth. Partial shade to part sun in the Pacific Northwest produces the best foliage quality. Adapts to a range of soil types and pH levels (5.0-7.5). Water occasionally during extended summer dry periods in the first two years; established plants tolerate summer drought typical of the Pacific Northwest. Rust (Cumminsiella mirabilissima) causes orange pustules on leaf undersides and can defoliate plants by late summer in humid conditions; improve air circulation and remove heavily affected foliage. Powdery mildew may also occur. Remove oldest, leggiest canes at ground level periodically to maintain a compact form and encourage fresh basal growth.

Pruning

Prune after flowering in late spring by removing the oldest one-third of stems at ground level annually to promote vigorous new growth from the base. Leggy, overgrown plants can be cut back hard to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in late winter; regrowth from the base and rhizomes emerges within the same season. Remove rust-infected foliage promptly. Sucker growth from rhizomes can be removed or left to increase the colony, depending on the desired spread.

Pruning Schedule

early springlate spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 7 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic