Oregon Grape plant profile
Mahonia aquifolium
A perennial shrub for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Oregon Grape
Plant this shrub while dormant, in fall or early spring. Extension guidance rates fall (early enough for roots to establish before the ground freezes) as the best time and spring, just before growth begins, as the next best.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Oregon Grape in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 24 to 60 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: chlorosis on high ph soil, leaf scorch from sun and wind, leaf spots, rust, low severity poison if ingested.
Next steps
Continue with Oregon Grape
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Berberis aquifolium (Oregon Grape; syn. Mahonia aquifolium)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Planting Shrubs Correctly (HGIC 1052)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.