Tall Oregon Grape, Oregon Grape, Mountain Grape
Berberis aquifolium

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 60-90 cm high and spreading 90-150 cm wide. It forms dense suckering thickets. The leaves are divided along the stalk into leaflets. There are 5-7 leaflets on each leaf. They are shiny green. They turn red-purple in winter. The flowers are yellow and densely clustered together. The fruit are grape-like and blue black berries. They are 6-10 mm across.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is very cold hardy. It will grow in a wide range of soils. It prefers a pH of 4.5-6.5. It won't grow well in limestone soils. It can tolerate shade. It grows well in open, dry, rocky areas. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, North America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The berries are listed as poisonous. The fruit are edible and are also used for wine. The fruit are eaten fresh and also dried. The flowers are eaten and used to make a lemonade like drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed sown in spring. Plants can be spaced 2 m apart of 50 cm apart if used for a hedge.

Plants live for 4-10 years.

Its other names

Local names

Hollyleaved barberry

Synonyms

Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium; Berberis aquifolium var. juglandifolia Rehder; Berberis fascicularis Sims; Berberis fasciculata Schult. & Schult.f.; Berberis pinnata Banks ex DC. [Illegitimate]; Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.; Mahonia diversifolia Sweet; Odostemon aquifolium (Pursh) Rydb.;