Cascade Oregon Grape

Berberis nervosa

Cascade Oregon Grape is a shrub for groundcover, structure, suited to shade and partial shade and loam or acid soil, flowering May, Jun, Jul.

Where to use it in a border

At around 60 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 6a to 9b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Cascade Oregon Grape's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Black Cohoshfor height behind it
• Bugleto edge in front
• Chinese Wild Gingerto edge in front
• Creeping Phloxto edge in front
• Creeping Phlox 'Sherwood Purple'to edge in front
• Florida Leucothoefor height behind it

Garden styles

Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland