Mahonia aquifolium - Oregon Grapeholly (Berberidaceae) ------Mahonia aquifolium is a small, evergreen, bold-textured Trunk shrub. Oregon Grapeholly has bronzed winter foliage -not applicable and reddish juvenile foliage. It is one of the best broadleaf shrubs for winter bronzing if it is in a USAGE protected site. Function -foundation, entranceway, or specimen broadleaf FEATURES evergreen shrub Form Texture -small shrub -bold texture -to 5' tall x 3' wide, -open density upright oval growth Assets habit, usually planted in -ever-changing color of green or bronzed evergreen groups, with several foliage stems emerging from -bright yellow flowers in spring each plant -occasional terminal clusters of blue berries in summer -slow rate Liabilities Culture -does poorly in alkaline and/or wet sites -does best in partial shade to full shade in moist, well- -winter burning of leaves drained, acidic soils (becomes chlorotic if in alkaline -slow growth soils) -full sun intolerance -needs a protected site in winter against prevailing winds -flowers attract bees (as do all broad-leaved evergreens to avoid winter Habitat desiccation) -Zone 5 -does not tolerate poor drainage or full sun in winter -Native to Pacific Northwest in U.S. in cool, partially -Barberry Family, with several minor disease and pest shaded areas of coniferous forests problems, but most often troubled by improper placement in the landscape (see above), resulting in SELECTIONS stunting, foliage chlorosis, and/or foliage winter burn Alternates -moderately available in B&B or container form -small to medium-sized shrubs of broadleaved evergreen Foliage habit (Buxus hybrids, Ilex x meserveae, Ligustrum -emerging reddish, changing japonicum, Rhododendron hybrids, etc.) to light green, turning -small to medium-sized plants of bold character for lustrous dark green, then shady sites (Acanthus species, Hosta cultivars, becoming a deep burgundy Hydrangea species, Rhododendron catawbiense, etc.) in winter, but often subject -shrubs that have deeply bronzed evergreen foliage in to frequent "burning" in winter (Cotoneaster salicifolius, Nandina domestica winter, resulting in a 'Firepower', etc.) or groundcovers with the same trait partially bleached (Euonymus fortunei var. coloratus, Sedum floriferum appearance 'Weihenstephaner Gold', etc.) -evergreen, alternate, odd- Cultivars - Variants - Related species pinnately compound with -Mahonia aquifolium 'Compactum' - compact and 5-9 leaflets which are slower-growing form to 3' elliptical to ovate, spiny- Mahonia repens - Creeping Mahonia dentate, and glossy - a species similar to Oregon Grapeholly in its foliage, flowers, fruit, and hardiness, but differing in its short Flowers height (to 1'), stoloniferous habit (creating numerous -bright yellow-green, flowering in Apr., with a dense basal stems over time), and trailing appearance, used as cluster of many small flowers in a terminal inflor- a non-traditional, bold-textured groundcover escence -attractive contrast to old burgundy foliage and emerging red foliage -attracts bees Fruits -ellipsoid blue berries with a whitish cast (like Blueberries) maturing in Aug.-Sept. -not usually persistent, if present at all Twigs -light brown, fairly stout, and somewhat irregular (numerous leaf and bud scale scars due to slow growth rate) -small buds except for large terminal floral buds