Harvesting of Mahonia gracilipes, or Oregon grape, typically begins in July and continues through September.
Oregon grape
Mahonia gracilipes
Oregon grape (Mahonia gracilipes) is a flowering shrub native to western North America. It grows up to two meters tall with clusters of yellow flowers and bright blue-purple berries. Leaves are feathery and grey-green in colour with sharp spines on their undersides. This plant is drought-tolerant and prefers partial to full sun. The berries are edible and have a sweet astringent quality. The leaves, roots, and berries of Oregon grape can be used medicinally to treat a number of digestive issues.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
7 - 8
Flowers:
Purplish-red with yellow centers Flowers
Sun:
Part shade,full shade
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Oregon grape should be planted in a spot that receives part shade to full shade and be watered regularly. Initially, water daily for the first few weeks to ensure good establishment. Gradually reduce watering to once or twice a week during the summer months, and once a month during the winter. Make sure the soil does not become too dry, but do not overwater as this can lead to root rot. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist.
sunlight
Oregon grape (Mahonia gracilipes) grows best in partial shade to full sun. It can tolerate a variety of light conditions and generally needs an average of 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day. It’s important to keep in mind that an excessive amount of direct sunlight can cause the leaves of the plant to become scorched, so it’s important to find the right balance. A south-facing exposure with some morning sun and light afternoon shade provides the ideal light required for the Oregon grape to thrive.
pruning
Oregon grape (Mahonia gracilipes) should be pruned lightly each year in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged stems, then thin out any crowded areas of the shrub to improve air circulation. Some of the older wood (stems more than 5 years old) can be removed to encourage new growth and flowering. Avoid cutting back into bare wood, as the Oregon grape will not recover from pruning this far.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Mahonia gracilipes typically starts flowering in late March or early April.
Harvest Fruit
Harvesting of Mahonia gracilipes, or Oregon grape, typically begins in July and continues through September.
