Mahonia nervosa (Cascade Oregon Grape)

Fabulous groundcover with dark green foliage resembling the spiny leaves of a holly; treasured for its bold clusters of bright yellow flowers and light blue berries; plant where it will receive some snow cover.

Oregon Grape Holly is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration; Suckering; Disease.

Oregon Grape Holly has attractive dark green foliage with light green veins on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. The spiny oval pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding purple in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It features bold racemes of fragrant yellow flowers rising above the foliage in mid spring. It produces powder blue berries from late summer to early fall.

Oregon Grape Holly will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.