What hardiness zones is Mahonia nervosa suitable for?

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

What are the sun requirements for Mahonia nervosa?

Mahonia nervosa requires Part Shade.

How much water does Mahonia nervosa need?

Mahonia nervosa has Low water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Mahonia nervosa

dwarf Oregon grape

Berberidaceae

Western North America from British Columbia to northern California, east to Idaho

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitSpreading

FoliageEvergreen

Height1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m)

Width2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

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

Maintenancevery low

Overview

A low-growing, suckering broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m) tall and 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) wide. Growth rate is slow, adding 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year. Spreads gradually by underground rhizomes to form loose colonies. Leaves are pinnately compound, 10-18 inches (25-45 cm) long — proportionally large relative to the plant's stature — with 9-19 (commonly 11-15) holly-like leaflets, each 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with spiny, serrated margins and prominently raised parallel veins on the underside (the feature giving the species its name, 'nervosa'). New growth emerges reddish-bronze, maturing to glossy dark green by summer. In winter, foliage develops purple, reddish-purple, or bronze tones, more pronounced in sun-exposed sites. Flowers appear in March to May in erect terminal racemes 3-8 inches (8-20 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 to dusty blue-black with a glaucous bloom by July to August. Berries are tart and edible. Inner bark is bright yellow from berberine alkaloid. Generally more shade-tolerant than M. aquifolium, and performs better in deep shade under coniferous canopy. Less susceptible to rust and powdery mildew than M. aquifolium in well-ventilated sites. Hardy to approximately -10°F (-23°C).

Native Range

Native to western North America from British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, and northern California, with populations extending into Idaho. Found naturally in the understory of coniferous forests — particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) forests — from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation. One of the most common native understory shrubs in Pacific Northwest lowland forests.

Suggested Uses

Commonly used as a native groundcover or understory planting in woodland gardens and naturalized areas at 2-3 foot (0.6-0.9 m) spacing. Suitable for planting beneath native conifers where it re-creates the natural Pacific Northwest forest understory layer. Tolerates competition from tree roots and dry shade. Provides erosion control on shaded slopes. Berries are consumed by birds and can be harvested for preserves. Suitable for containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) for shade patios.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Mahonia aquifolium by its low stature (1-2 feet / 0.3-0.6 m vs. 3-6 feet / 0.9-1.8 m), more numerous leaflets per leaf (9-19 vs. 5-9), and prominently raised parallel veins on the leaflet undersides. Leaflets are more narrowly ovate and more closely spaced along the rachis than in M. aquifolium. Distinguished from M. repens by its taller growth (1-2 feet vs. 6-12 inches / 15-30 cm), more numerous leaflets (9-19 vs. 3-7), and narrower leaflet shape. Leaves emerge directly from ground-level stems on short rhizomes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

bronze

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowers from March to May in USDA zones 5-8. Erect terminal racemes 3-8 inches (8-20 cm) long bear bright yellow flowers, each approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) across. Bloom lasts 3-4 weeks. Dusty blue-black berries with a glaucous bloom ripen in July to August. Flowers provide early-season nectar for native bees, bumble bee queens, and other pollinators emerging in spring.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow

Foliage Description

Reddish-bronze new growth; glossy dark green in summer; purple to bronze in winter

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 1-4 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 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

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

Plant in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, acidic to slightly acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5). Performs best in the dappled shade conditions of its native forest understory; tolerates deep shade under conifers where few other plants thrive. Full sun causes leaf scorch and faded foliage color. Water occasionally during extended summer dry periods in the first two years; established plants tolerate typical Pacific Northwest summer drought without supplemental irrigation. Mulch with 2 inches (5 cm) of organic material, simulating the natural forest duff layer. Less susceptible to rust than M. aquifolium but may develop leaf spot in humid conditions. Slugs may damage new growth in wet spring conditions.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required. Remove damaged or winter-burned leaves in early spring before new growth begins. Cut back occasional tall, leggy stems to ground level to maintain compact form. Do not shear; the natural rosette-like form is the desired growth habit. Established colonies can be thinned by removing individual stems at ground level if the planting becomes too dense.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic