Mahonia aquifolium

RHS Plant Profile
Oregon grape

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Mahonia aquifolium?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Oregon grape RHS
Oregon grape RHS

Other common names

holly-leaved barberry, mountain grape, Rocky Mountain grape, Tall Oregon grape

Synonyms

Mahonia piperiana
Berberis aquifolium

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
16 Suppliers

A vigorous, low, spreading, evergreen shrub with glossy green, slightly prickly leaves becoming purplish in winter. Large clusters of yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by black berries

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Berries are ornamentalnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Mahonia are evergreen shrubs with leathery, pinnate leaves which are often spine-toothed, and clustered racemes of sometimes fragrant yellow flowers, sometimes followed by black or purple berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich moist but well-drained soil, suited to full or partial shade in a sheltered position but tolerant of sun if soil is not too dry. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust and powdery mildews