Mahonia (Oregon Grape) Catalog

WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97317-9216

E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
Phone: 503-581-2638; Fax: 408-586-1306

Click here for Home Page: www.nwplants.com

For information about Wallace W Hansen Northwest Native Plant Nursery & Gardens: Business Information (Ordering, etc.)

Updated March 13, 2008

Mahonia Iberberis Species of the Northwest

Family Name: Berberidaceae

A Note from Wally: I grow Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple, Oregon Maple, Broadleaf Maple) and many other Northwest Native Plants here in my Nursery and Gardens in the Willamette Valley in Western Oregon. I specialize in Northwest Native Plants and sell both Wholesale and Retail, depending on quantity. I usually have plants available year-round in one gallon containers and often in various other container sizes and as Bare Root plants in the Winter months. This site is intended as a reference for all who are interested in Northwest Native Plants: amateur, professional – everyone.

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

For more information, go to my Home Page at www.nwplants.com and then click on Plant Catalog for current prices and availability. Be sure and then click on Plant Sales for any bargains. If you buy in large quantities, check the Wholesale Information Sites on my Home Page. If you have any information about this species – stories, climates, uses, propagation, etc. please contact me at plants@nwplants.com.
If I publish your tips and information, I will credit you on the web and send you a credit memo.

The Northwest Native Mahonia Oregon Grape is one of the most ornamental shrubs available for year-round beauty.

Mahonia (Berberis)

A beautiful and very useful and ornamental shrub from the Western USA. This genus is in the BERBERIDACEA (Barberry) Family. Most botany books call this genus Berberis. The name does not appear to be accepted by many. All nurseries of the Northwest call this genus "Mahonia." If you are an academic, call this "Berberis." If you are a Nurseryman call this "Mahonia." (Opinion of Hansen – I like the roll and full sound of Mahonia – let’s forget Berberis!) (This genus sometimes called Barberry and Holly-Grape,also.)
Tall Oregon Grape

Photo by Jennifer Rehm

The Mahonia genus has three species, described below. These are wonderful plants, each with different characteristics – each useful for different purposes. These fine plants have tough, evergreen leaves, edible dark blue, fruit and attractive yellow flowers. All have yellow inner bark and spread by underground runners. Leaves are evergreen, alternate, pinnately compound with 3 to 21 leaflets, depending on the species. All Mahonia develop some bronze leaf colors in the sun: they stay greener in the deeper shade.

Culture Of Mahonia:

Mahonia is nursery propagated from seed and germination can be a problem. The most common nursery practice is to sow fresh seed in the Fall and let a cold winter break the seed dormancy. When transplanting in the early Spring, expect the existing leaves to die back and a bit later, new buds will form. When I first started growing this plant, I thought the plants had all died in April and by July they were doing great!

We show the bronze new leaf color and flower buds soon to be open.

Tall Oregon Grape

Photo by Jennifer Rehm

There are not many diseases, at least here in Oregon. Leaf Spot and Rust sometimes are a problem. Here in my nursery, I spray in the Spring with fixed copper for Rust. I use Daconil to control rust. It is best to always remove and destroy infected leaves.

Mahonia aquifolium [Berberis] (Tall Oregon Grape):

This superb evergreen shrub is the State flower of Oregon. Can get 10 ft tall, but usually 5 ft in gardens. Large clusters of small golden yellow flowers on shiny dark green, holly-like foliage in the spring. New growth is copper color in the spring. Blue fruits are tart - often used for jelly. Use for hedges, borders and drifts. Sun or shade (fairly tolerant of shade). Drought tolerant. Perfect for the Northwest and all similar climates.

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

Use in every Northwest garden. Tends to form clumps. If this beautiful plants gets too tall or "leggy" prune it back – rather hard if you wish. This species found on dry to moist well drained sites, sun or shade, from British Columbia to Northern California on the West side of the Cascade Mountains and in NE Oregon. Birds and animals love the fruit – rather tart and seedy. It does make a very good jelly! Florists use the foliage of this shrub for greenery.

Mahonia [Berberis] nervosa (Cascade Oregon Grape, Long Leaf Oregon Grape, Dwarf Oregon Grape):

Flowers and berries are nearly identical to Mahonia aquifolium, above, but this is a low growing plant. Similar to Tall Oregon Grape, but longer leaves and a different form -- 2 ft tall. Same beautiful flowers and fruit as Tall Oregon Grape. Widespread in open forest areas. Excellent ground cover. Likes part shade. and is tolerant of deep shade. Probably more plentiful in Western Oregon than Tall Oregon Grape. This plant seldom get over 30 inches tall and has long leaf stems to 16 inches and 11 to 21 leaflets, all dark glossy green. Also used by Florists for arrangements. Loved by birds and animals. Same yellow flowers and dark blue, edible fruit. Found from British Columbia South into Northern California and in NE Oregon and Idaho.
Photo by Jennifer Rehm

Mahonia [Berberis] repens (Creeping Oregon Grape):

Low growing, spreading evergreen ground cover (10-14"). Superior ground cover of the Oregon Grape species. Dull green leaves, yellow flowers, blue-purple edible fruits. (Note – the dull leaves distinguish this species from the other two. Likes sun or shade. Has 3 to 7 leaflets. Recommended to cover large open areas not suitable for lawn. Will often take root at the nodes. Drought resistant after established. Browsed by some deer. Found in dry, sun or shade areas in well drained sites on the East side of the Cascades from British Columbia to Northern California and East into Idaho. Also found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Black Hills. Brilliant fall color!

Photo by JoAnn Onstott

I grow all three Mahonia species and sell these in 1 gallon pots and larger. I ship potted plants Fall, Winter and Spring. I also ship bareroot plants from November through Feb: if you want bareroot plants, better order early. They often sell out! Please go to my Home Page www.nwplants.com and select my catalog for retail prices and my Wholesale Availability List for large quantities. (Watch for Spring and Fall Sales also!)

Thanks, and happy gardening!

Wally

Click here to return to my Home Page

Questions about plants, click here: Regular Email to Wally

Comments or questions about our web site, click here: Webmaster

Updated March 13, 2008 Mahonia Iberberis Species of the Northwest Family Name: Berberidaceae
*A Note from Wally:* I grow Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple, Oregon Maple, Broadleaf Maple) and many other Northwest Native Plants here in my Nursery and Gardens in the Willamette Valley in Western Oregon. I specialize in Northwest Native Plants and sell both Wholesale and Retail, depending on quantity. I usually have plants available year-round in one gallon containers and often in various other container sizes and as Bare Root plants in the Winter months. This site is intended as a reference for all who are interested in Northwest Native Plants: amateur, professional – everyone.	Photo by JoAnn Onstott
For more information, go to my Home Page at www.nwplants.com and then click on Plant Catalog for current prices and availability. Be sure and then click on Plant Sales for any bargains. If you buy in large quantities, check the Wholesale Information Sites on my Home Page. If you have any information about this species – stories, climates, uses, propagation, etc. please contact me at plants@nwplants.com. If I publish your tips and information, I will credit you on the web and send you a credit memo.
The Northwest Native Mahonia Oregon Grape is one of the most ornamental shrubs available for year-round beauty.
*Mahonia (Berberis)*
A beautiful and very useful and ornamental shrub from the Western USA. This genus is in the BERBERIDACEA (Barberry) Family. Most botany books call this genus Berberis. The name does not appear to be accepted by many. All nurseries of the Northwest call this genus "Mahonia." If you are an academic, call this "Berberis." If you are a Nurseryman call this "Mahonia." (Opinion of Hansen – I like the roll and full sound of Mahonia – let’s forget Berberis!) (This genus sometimes called Barberry and Holly-Grape,also.)	Tall Oregon Grape Photo by Jennifer Rehm
The Mahonia genus has three species, described below. These are wonderful plants, each with different characteristics – each useful for different purposes. These fine plants have tough, evergreen leaves, edible dark blue, fruit and attractive yellow flowers. All have yellow inner bark and spread by underground runners. Leaves are evergreen, alternate, pinnately compound with 3 to 21 leaflets, depending on the species. All Mahonia develop some bronze leaf colors in the sun: they stay greener in the deeper shade.
*Culture Of Mahonia:*
Mahonia is nursery propagated from seed and germination can be a problem. The most common nursery practice is to sow fresh seed in the Fall and let a cold winter break the seed dormancy. When transplanting in the early Spring, expect the existing leaves to die back and a bit later, new buds will form. When I first started growing this plant, I thought the plants had all died in April and by July they were doing great! We show the bronze new leaf color and flower buds soon to be open.	Tall Oregon Grape Photo by Jennifer Rehm
There are not many diseases, at least here in Oregon. Leaf Spot and Rust sometimes are a problem. Here in my nursery, I spray in the Spring with fixed copper for Rust. I use Daconil to control rust. It is best to always remove and destroy infected leaves.
*Mahonia aquifolium [Berberis] (Tall Oregon Grape):*
This superb evergreen shrub is the State flower of Oregon. Can get 10 ft tall, but usually 5 ft in gardens. Large clusters of small golden yellow flowers on shiny dark green, holly-like foliage in the spring. New growth is copper color in the spring. Blue fruits are tart - often used for jelly. Use for hedges, borders and drifts. Sun or shade (fairly tolerant of shade). Drought tolerant. Perfect for the Northwest and all similar climates.	Photo by JoAnn Onstott
Use in every Northwest garden. Tends to form clumps. If this beautiful plants gets too tall or "leggy" prune it back – rather hard if you wish. This species found on dry to moist well drained sites, sun or shade, from British Columbia to Northern California on the West side of the Cascade Mountains and in NE Oregon. Birds and animals love the fruit – rather tart and seedy. It does make a very good jelly! Florists use the foliage of this shrub for greenery.
*Mahonia [Berberis] nervosa (Cascade Oregon Grape, Long Leaf Oregon Grape, Dwarf Oregon Grape):*
Flowers and berries are nearly identical to Mahonia aquifolium, above, but this is a low growing plant. Similar to Tall Oregon Grape, but longer leaves and a different form -- 2 ft tall. Same beautiful flowers and fruit as Tall Oregon Grape. Widespread in open forest areas. Excellent ground cover. Likes part shade. and is tolerant of deep shade. Probably more plentiful in Western Oregon than Tall Oregon Grape. This plant seldom get over 30 inches tall and has long leaf stems to 16 inches and 11 to 21 leaflets, all dark glossy green. Also used by Florists for arrangements. Loved by birds and animals. Same yellow flowers and dark blue, edible fruit. Found from British Columbia South into Northern California and in NE Oregon and Idaho.	Photo by Jennifer Rehm
*Mahonia [Berberis] repens (Creeping Oregon Grape):*
Low growing, spreading evergreen ground cover (10-14"). Superior ground cover of the Oregon Grape species. Dull green leaves, yellow flowers, blue-purple edible fruits. (Note – the dull leaves distinguish this species from the other two. Likes sun or shade. Has 3 to 7 leaflets. Recommended to cover large open areas not suitable for lawn. Will often take root at the nodes. Drought resistant after established. Browsed by some deer. Found in dry, sun or shade areas in well drained sites on the East side of the Cascades from British Columbia to Northern California and East into Idaho. Also found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Black Hills. Brilliant fall color!	Photo by JoAnn Onstott
I grow all three Mahonia species and sell these in 1 gallon pots and larger. I ship potted plants Fall, Winter and Spring. I also ship bareroot plants from November through Feb: if you want bareroot plants, better order early. They often sell out! Please go to my Home Page www.nwplants.com and select my catalog for retail prices and my Wholesale Availability List for large quantities. (Watch for Spring and Fall Sales also!)
Thanks, and happy gardening! Wally

	Click here to return to my Home Page
	Questions about plants, click here: Regular Email to Wally
	Comments or questions about our web site, click here: Webmaster

WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

Updated March 13, 2008

Mahonia Iberberis Species of the Northwest

Family Name: Berberidaceae

Thanks, and happy gardening!