Tall Oregon Grape

Tall Oregon grape is an attractive, albeit prickly evergreen shrub native to forests, woodlands, and rocky slopes of western North America. It typically grows 3–10 feet tall, with leathery, holly-like leaves that are glossy green and often turn reddish-purple in winter. In early spring, it produces showy clusters of bright yellow flowers that provide an important nectar source for pollinators, followed by dark blue, waxy berries eaten by birds and small mammals. It is a resilient plant, tolerant of sun, shade, wet and drought. Ecologically, tall Oregon grape plays a key role in various communities by offering food, shelter, and year-round foliage cover, while also contributing to soil stabilization. Its ornamental value and resilience have made it both a popular landscaping plant and the state flower of Oregon.