Growing Zone: | Garden in
Find your Growing Zone!

Compact Oregon Grape Holly

Mahonia aquifolium 'Compacta'

  • Compact Form Fits Small Spaces While Delivering Northwest Native Beauty Year-Round
  • Thrives in Zones 5-9
  • Showy Yellow Blooms in Late Spring
  • Excellent Hedge or Foundation Planting
  • Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Songbirds
Regular price $3530
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Out of stock
Plant not supported in Growing Zone. Update address

Unfortunately, this item cannot be shipped to your state.

Shipping to a different address?

Shipping to your area may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Shipping to a different address?

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone
Plant Size

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Description

We know that some of you out there only think of the great Northwestern forests as home to the legendary Bigfoot and his kin. Hopefully, we can enlighten you on some of the other natural wonders in those forests! Let's start with the Compact Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium 'Compacta') is a new, much more compact form of the American native Mahonia that is so prevalent in the Pine and Fir forests of the great Northwest!

Its smaller size makes it much more versatile as a landscape shrub than its big brethren, though. The current trend is leaning toward smaller and urban gardens, so there is a need for smaller plants to fit those spaces, and this small shrub does it better than most!

Oregon Grape Holly is a fantastic plant. Its spiky leathery leaves are evergreen, but they sport a couple of color changes throughout the year! The bronze-red new growth turns to glossy deep green in the summer and then transforms into purple-red for the fall and winter months. If that weren't enough, there are also sunny yellow late spring flowers followed by deep purple summer berries. Now imagine all of this on a compact plant that will fit just about anywhere.

Planting and Application:

Use this native as a small hedge or around a deck or steps to hide the foundations. It also hides the leggy bottoms of taller plants if you put it in front of the border. Try it by rocks, dry streambeds or water features for an interesting foliage juxtaposition. It is a perfect choice for massed panting and big borders, too. The yellow blossoms attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, so include one as an anchor for your pollinator garden!

Add a boost of year-round interest and greenery to your landscape! As a sun or part shade foundation plant along the front of your home, as a lower hedge and screening property divider, or as a fantastic backdrop for smaller perennials and mixed shrub borders! Plus those edible berries are great for jam and jelly!

  • Textured Broadleaf Evergreen Foliage
  • Bronze-Red New Spring Leaves & Compact Growth
  • Fragrant Bright Yellow Flowers For Pollinators
  • Edible Ornamental Berries for You & Birds!
  • Hedges, Edible Landscaping, & Small Urban Yards

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Mahonia tolerates full sun and partial shade throughout the USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9. A highly adaptable version of the great native Oregon Grape Holly, these are rather deer resistant and very low maintenance. This glossy plant should perform beautifully for you. Open it up to sunlight and air circulation by cutting interior canes down to the ground, or pruning right after the flowers are done. You can also rejuvenate older shrubs by cutting them all the way to the ground. Young stems will grow back from the center of the root system. It won't take long for the canes to grow back again, better than ever.

  • Full Sun for More Fruit or Partial Shade
  • Moderate Moisture - Adaptable Once Established
  • Any Type of Well-Drained Soil
  • NW Native Selection That’s Deer Resistant
  • Prune When Flowering is Complete

This is an excellent choice for the home garden - durable, low-maintenance and beautiful! Add a few to your garden today. (You'll make a Sasquatch proud!) Hurry and order this ornamental edible landscaping shrub today from NatureHills.com!

In some areas, Compact Oregon Grape Holly performs too well. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry™ to block shipments of regulated plant materials. As one of the oldest online plant nurseries selling coast to coast, our core value is to always protect your community from invasive plants. Type in your zip code above the Plant Highlights to see if you can use it safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Compact Oregon Grape Holly suitable for?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly thrives in USDA zones 5-9. This Pacific Northwest native handles cold winters well while tolerating moderate heat. Plant it in fall or early spring for best establishment.

How tall and wide does Compact Oregon Grape Holly grow at maturity?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity, making it much smaller than the standard species. This manageable size makes it perfect for foundation plantings, small hedges, or tight spaces in urban gardens.

What are the sunlight requirements for Compact Oregon Grape Holly—full sun, part sun, or shade?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly thrives in both full sun and partial shade conditions. This adaptable native shrub performs well with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Plant it anywhere from full sun exposures to partly shaded foundation areas for reliable year-round performance.

How often do I need to water Compact Oregon Grape Holly after planting?

  • Water newly planted Compact Oregon Grape Holly deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month, then reduce to weekly watering. This drought-tolerant native adapts well once established. Check soil moisture 2 inches down and water when dry.

How do I care for Compact Oregon Grape Holly in hot, dry conditions or windy areas?

  • Oregon Grape Holly tolerates dry conditions once established but benefits from afternoon shade in hot climates. In windy areas, plant in a protected spot to prevent leaf scorch on the evergreen foliage. Water deeply during establishment and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

Can Compact Oregon Grape Holly be used as a low hedge or groundcover, and what's the best spacing?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly works excellently as a low hedge, staying much smaller than the standard native variety. Its dense, spiky evergreen foliage provides year-round screening and structure. Space plants 3-4 feet apart for hedge plantings to allow proper air circulation while achieving full coverage within 2-3 years.

Does Compact Oregon Grape Holly attract deer, or is it deer resistant?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly is deer resistant due to its spiky, leathery evergreen foliage that deer typically avoid. The thorny texture makes it an unappetizing choice for browsing wildlife. Plant it as a natural barrier around vulnerable plants or use it in foundation plantings where deer pressure is high.

Will the berries on Compact Oregon Grape Holly be edible for humans?

  • Yes, the deep purple berries produced in summer are edible and make excellent jam and jelly. The berries have a tart flavor similar to grapes. Harvest them when fully ripe and dark purple for the best taste and texture.

What are the shipping options and costs for Compact Oregon Grape Holly plants?

  • Shipping options and costs vary by plant size and your location. Most shrubs ship via ground freight with rates calculated at checkout based on your zip code. Larger specimens may require truck delivery with additional fees. Check the shipping calculator during checkout for exact costs and delivery timeframes to your area.

Is Compact Oregon Grape Holly available in pots, and how does it ship bare root?

  • Compact Oregon Grape Holly ships as potted plants, not bare root, since evergreen shrubs need their root systems protected year-round. This broadleaf evergreen maintains its foliage through winter and establishes better with an intact root ball. Plant in spring or early fall for best establishment.

Find Your Garden's Growing Zone!

Your Current Growing Zone:

Zone

ZIP Code:

✓ Growing Zone Set Successfully!

Your zone has been saved and will be used throughout the site.

⚠ Unable to locate a growing zone for that ZIP code.

Please check your ZIP code and try again.

Looking up your growing zone...

When ordering a tree or plant, make sure to know your planting zone.

You can determine your garden's USDA hardiness zone by entering your Zip Code below.