Shrub · Berberidaceae family
Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium
In short a 10-second read
Oregon grape (shrub) grows to 0.9–1.8 m tall and 0.6–1.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. It flowers in March–April; the flowers are yellow. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.6–1.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy
Soil pH 5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
March–April · yellow
Pruning
cut back by a third (as needed)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Oregon grape flower?
In March–April; the flowers are yellow.
Does Oregon grape tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does Oregon grape need?
At maturity 0.6–1.5 m wide and 0.9–1.8 m tall; recommended spacing 120 cm.
Does Oregon grape survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 15 expert sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (15)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Mahonia aquifolium
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Mahonia aquifolium
- EUR-Lex — vykonávacie nariadenie
- Slov-lex — nariadenie vlády SR č. 449/2019 Z. z.
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- EASIN (JRC Európskej komisie) — katalóg nepôvodných druhov
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Mahonia aquifolium
- Wikidata (CC0) — Mahonia aquifolium
- World Flora Online — matching API
- RHS - Mahonia aquifolium
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning evergreens
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Pergl et al. 2016, NeoBiota 28 — Grey List
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