Cascade Oregon Grape (Berberis nervosa)

Cascade oregon grape is a shade-loving evergreen shrub, growing up to 2' tall. It provides year-round visual interest with its dark green, spiny, 12" long compound leaves that resemble holly. Older leaves turn shades of red and purple. Long, narrow clusters of bright yellow fragrant flowers appear in spring, attracting pollinators. In summer, the clusters ripen to purplish-blue berries, which are edible but tart. Oregon grape is drought tolerant once established, but can grow in irrigated sites. The plants are slow to establish and do not transplant well, so care should be taken when siting them. This plant is rhizomatous and will spread very slowly to create a lovely, soil-stabilizing evergreen groundcover. Does well in the shade of conifers.

Sun Exposure: Partial shade, full shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist to seasonally moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil
Mature Size: up to 2' tall, rhizomatous
Bloom Time: Spring
Edible: Yes (berries)
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Butterfly and moth larval host. Attracts beneficial insects. Berries eaten by birds and mammals. Provides cover for small animals.
Native Range & Habitat: Coniferous forests and forest edges from low to middle elevations. Southern British Columbia to California. 
Other Names: séliy̓ay̓ (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim), dull oregon grape, Mahonia nervosa