Tall Oregon Grape - qʷəbqʷəbčac - (Mahonia aquifolium)
As the name suggests, Tall Oregon Grape can attain some height. Maxing out between 6-8 feet and 3 feet wide, the holly-like, prickly leaves that adorn the Tall Oregon Grape act as an excellent privacy hedge that works year-round due to being an evergreen plant. New growth starts out as a coppery color, turning a glossy green during spring and summer and a bright red in winter. Fragrant yellow clusters of flowers bloom atop the stems in mid to late spring, followed by berries in the early fall. The rhizomes of the TOG allow for rapid spreading once it has had time to establish and can provide cover for small animals such as birds.
TOG works in dry, rocky sites, as well as moist (but not wet) areas, and can thrive in both full sun and full shade if needed. Much like the Low Oregon Grape, the berries are edible and enjoyed by both wildlife and humans, and the roots have been historically used in teas and as a yellow dye. You can use the berries the same as you would the Low Oregon Grape, such as in jellies, wines, tinctures, oxymels, and syrups. Tall Oregon Grape is a plant that is an excellent native plant ally from root to tip! It's a great alternative to the invasive holly!
*Prefers partial shade, tolerant of full sun and full shade
*Prefers dry to moist soil, drought tolerant once established
*Suitable landscape in a woodland garden, a privacy hedges, or back garden borders.
*Grows to approximately 6 to 8 feet in height, with a three-foot spread with underground rhizomes
*Sold bare root
*Sold in bundles of 5
qʷəbqʷəbčac *Lushootseed provided by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program.