Berberis nervosa

Berberis nervosa

Common name: dwarf Oregon grape

Family: Berberidaceae

Leaf: compoud, with 9-19 leaflets (more than Berberis aquifolium), each leaflets glossy and strongly toothed (resembling holly), veins are fan-like, turning a burgundy-purple colour in fall and winter

Flowers: showy racemes of sulphuric yellow florets, with a sporadic blooming cycle of about 6 months (starting in early spring)

Fruit: blue drupe, showy

Habit: low-growing suckering, evergreen shrub; Form: low mounding

Height: 1-2.5'; Spread: 1-3'

Culture: This is a hardy plant. Will grow in full sun to full shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Once established it is drought tolerant, especially in the shade. If in dry soils in the sun, the plant may yellow a bit. Best to give Berberis water if the soils are dry and in full sun during the hot summer months. Little pruning is necessary, maybe to remove dead wood. Slow-growing, aking a while to establish. Keep in mind it is rhizomatous, so will form a colony. Remove suckers if this is undesired. Will re-grow from old wood. In general, Berberis nervosa does not like to be transplanted, and grows better from seed. 

Uses: groundcover in a shady or sunny area, woodland area, gentle slope and erosion control, borders.

Origin: Pacific north west