Mahonia nervosa

Cascade Oregon Grape or Oregon Grape Holly has attractive dark green foliage with light green veins on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. The spiny oval pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding purple in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It features bold racemes of fragrant yellow flowers rising above the foliage in mid spring. It produces powder blue berries from late summer to early fall.

Oregon Grape Holly will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.