Plant Details

Mahonia aquifolium

Oregon Grape

Back

Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Mahonia aquifolium.

Use this plant

Log in to add this plant to your recipes.

Log in

Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Oregon Grape
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Gewone mahonia
French
  • Mahonia à feuilles de houx
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Mahonia aquifolium
Accepted name (Kew): Berberis aquifolium View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Berberidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Mahonia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Oregon Grape
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.91–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 0.61–1.52 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Slow
Sources [2]
Foliage: Evergreen
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Columnar, Oval

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
High Organic Matter
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Flowers, Fruit, Sap
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Dye, Hedge, Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is almost the size of a black currant and grows in large clusters, making it easy to harvest. The fruit has a sour taste and can be delicious eaten raw, especially when added to porridge or muesli. Unfortunately, the fruit contains relatively little flesh and many seeds, although some plants have larger and juicier fruits. Cooked, the fruit tastes a bit like black currants. The fruit can be dried and stored for later use. Flowers - raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt., name ID 2358559, row 507321; Berberis aquifolium Pursh, name ID 2673426, row 1324468
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 506622; name ID 2358552; Mahonia Nutt.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Berberis aquifolium — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .