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Shrub · Berberidaceae family

Oregon grape

Mahonia aquifolium

Part shade to shade in a garden 0.6–1 m × 1–1.5 m Flowers March–April to −29 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

LightPart shade to shade
in a garden after 10 years0.6–1 m
in the wild up to 1.8 m
spacing 1.2 m
FlowersMarch–April
PlantingMarch–April, September–October
PruningMay
WinterNo winter protection
Watched as potentially invasive (DE, CZ) — keep it away from the wild and do not let it spread.

Where to plant and how much to water

Light, soil and water.

It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
averagehumus-richloamy

Watering

Oregon grape — Watering
keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C
no winter protectiongreen in winter too

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.9–1.8 mspread 0.6–1.5 m
0.9–1.8 m× spread 0.6–1.5 m

Plant 1.2 m apart.

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

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberPruning: JanuaryPruning: FebruaryPruning: MarchPruning: AprilPruning: MayPruning: JunePruning: JulyPruning: AugustPruning: SeptemberPruning: OctoberPruning: NovemberPruning: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeedingPruning
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March–April · yellow

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, September–October

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Pruning

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

cut back partly (May)

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 40 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pruning

When and how to prune.

Months apply to Central Europe.

Oregon grape — Cut back partly

Cut back partly

May
How to prunePrune lightly: spent flowers, shoots growing in the wrong direction, dead, diseased and damaged wood.

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Red spots on the upper side of leaves, rusty powder underneath; damp conditions and poor airflow.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • thin out, airy spot
    • collect fallen leaves
    • do not overdo nitrogen (soft growth)
  2. By hand summer – autumnpick off a few infected leaves; collect fallen infected leaves; do not compost infected material after summer and in autumn
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps when presentFungicides are not recommended (they harm biodiversity); if needed: a product authorised in your country against rust
Rustsdisease · summer – autumn

What you will see

Red spots on the upper side of leaves, rusty powder underneath; damp conditions and poor airflow.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • thin out, airy spot
    • collect fallen leaves
    • do not overdo nitrogen (soft growth)
  2. By hand summer – autumnpick off a few infected leaves; collect fallen infected leaves; do not compost infected material after summer and in autumn
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps when presentFungicides are not recommended (they harm biodiversity); if needed: a product authorised in your country against rust
More about this problem

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
More about this problem
Sources (2)

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 1.2 m.

Rusts — what can you do?

thin out, airy spot pick off a few infected leaves; collect fallen infected leaves; do not compost infected material after summer and in autumn

Powdery mildews — what can you do?

open pruning, do not plant too densely remove affected parts

Sources (16) Checked 24 October 2026

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