Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium · Berberidaceae
📷 The original uploader was Meggar at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around oregon grape and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Oregon grape
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, compound, spiny resembling holly
- Flowering
- Spring (March to May), yellow flowers in clusters
- Mature size
- 120 cm in height
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates down to -15°C
- Origin
- North America (West)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Mahonia fears dry air above all: in very dry zones, plant it in light shade against a wall, even in partial exposure. Its spring flowers set properly as long as the soil isn't waterlogged.
The common mistake
Plant it in direct sun in dry climates and it scorches, losing its foliage.
The pro's trick
Pinch young stems in spring after flowering to force low branching and prevent it becoming a bare stem with poor aesthetics.
Care
Light exposure
Install your mahonia in semi-shaded conditions, ideal for enhancing its foliage. It also tolerates partial shade and even direct sun in cold regions. Avoid intense southern exposures in Mediterranean climates.
Watering
Water requirements are moderate. Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish it well. Once established, mahonia is fairly tolerant and only needs watering during prolonged dry spells.
Soil
Mahonia adapts to most soils but prefers well-drained substrate that is slightly acidic to neutral. Enrich the planting hole with compost or organic matter to encourage its development.
Pruning and training
Pruning is not essential; let your mahonia keep its natural bushy shape. You can remove dead or cumbersome branches in early spring after flowering, or slightly reduce its silhouette if needed.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is generally sufficient. Incorporate a thin layer of compost or organic fertilizer as vegetation begins to support growth and flowering.
Pests and diseases
Mahonia is very resistant and rarely susceptible to diseases. Watch for slugs in humid regions as they can damage tender foliage. Powdery mildew may appear in cases of stagnant humidity; improve air circulation around the plant.
Did you know?
Mahonia takes its name from Irish botanist Bernard M'Mahon (1775-1816), and the term 'aquifolium' means 'holly-like leaves.' Highly valued by Native Americans of North America for its tangy berries rich in vitamin C, mahonia actually produces edible blue-black berries in autumn, crowning honey-scented flowering that delights pollinators in spring.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese barberryBerberis thunbergii
- Heavenly bambooNandina domestica
- Leatherleaf mahoniaMahonia bealei
- Darwin barberryBerberis darwinii
- Wintergreen barberryBerberis julianae
- CalafateBerberis microphylla
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.