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Mahonia nervosa
dwarf Oregon grape
Western North America — British Columbia to northern California, east to Idaho; coniferous forest understory (primary ground cover in Douglas fir forests)
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Key Features
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low
Overview
Mahonia nervosa is dwarf Oregon grape (longleaf mahonia), a low spreading evergreen shrub growing 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) tall and 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) wide. Bright yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes 3-8 inches (7-20 cm) in March-May (4 weeks). Dusty blue-black edible berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) in summer. Pinnately compound leaves with 9-21 holly-like spiny-margined leaflets on arching leaves up to 18 inches (45 cm); reddish-bronze new growth, glossy dark green in summer, purple-bronze in winter. In Berberidaceae. Nervosa = prominently nerved. The low-growing native ground cover form of Oregon grape. More leaflets per leaf (9-21) than M. aquifolium (5-9). Spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. The primary understory ground cover in Douglas fir forests. Slow to establish (3-5 years) — this slow establishment is the primary limitation. More shade-tolerant than M. aquifolium. Berries edible (tart). Drought-tolerant once established. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
Native to western North America — British Columbia to northern California, east to Idaho. The primary ground cover in coniferous forest understory (Douglas fir forests).Suggested Uses
Grown as a native shade ground cover, woodland understory, and in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L), spaced 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m). Native PNW ground cover. Edible berries. Purple winter color. Slow to establish. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Spring (March-May). Bright yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes 3-8 inches (7-20 cm). 4 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited. Blue-black edible berries follow in summer.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright yellow, small, in dense terminal racemes 3-8 inches (7-20 cm); March-May; followed by dusty blue-black berry clusters 0.3 inch (8 mm) in summer — edible (tart)Foliage Description
Reddish-bronze new growth; glossy dark green in summer; purple to bronze in winter; pinnately compound with 9-21 holly-like spiny-margined leaflets 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) on long arching leaves up to 18 inches (45 cm) — more leaflets per leaf than M. aquifolium (5-9 leaflets)Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Part shade to full shade (1-4 hours). Well-drained acidic soil pH 5.0-6.5. Drought-tolerant once established. More shade-tolerant than M. aquifolium. Slow to establish (3-5 years). Spreads by rhizomes. Berries edible. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.Pruning
Minimal pruning needed. Remove old tattered foliage in early spring (March). Remove unwanted rhizome sprouts to control spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons