Gardening information sheet

1. *Cascade barberry – Berberis (Mahonia) nervosa (BER-ber-is ner-VO-suh )
Family: Berberaceae (Barberry Family)
Native to: Coastal North America from British Columbia, Canada to Northern CA; open or shaded woods, often in rocky areas below 6000 ft. Soils usually coarse, rocky or sandy.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/sub-shrub mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-3+ ft. Evergreen, woody shrub with erect to arching habit. Compound leaves are medium green, leathery; leaflets resemble holly leaves with spiny margins. Resembles Oregon Grape, but lower-growing. Spreads slowly by rhizomes or natural layering (branches touching ground will root). Deep roots.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – as early as Feb-Mar in S. CA. Flowers similar to Oregon Grape. Bright golden yellow flowers are clustered along flowering stems above the foliage. Flowers in parts of six. Plants may be covered in blooms in a good year. Best flowering in bright shade. Dark purple-blue fruits ripen in summer and make tasty jelly, jam, wine and pie (very tart raw).
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a small shrub or accent plant in shady spots (for its unique evergreen foliage and flowers). Makes a nice groundcover under tall trees; does well on slopes. Can be grown in large containers. Roots and bark used for dye and medicinally (cleaning wounds; tonic; antibacterial). Makes an interesting cut flower; foliage used in florist’s trade.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native evergreen shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and fruits for food. Attracts hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Requirement
Sun
Part-sun (morning sun) to fairly shady; less flowering in deep shade.
Soil
Best in well-drained soils; pH slightly acidic (5.0) to neutral.
Water
Likes moist soil – Water Zone 2-3 to 3.
Fertilizer
Occasional ½ fertilizer in ground or container.
Other
Needs organic mulch – leaf mulch is ideal.
Management: Pretty easy with the right conditions. Slow growing. Let it take it’s natural shape – just prune out dead branches in fall. Long roots; resents being moved.
Propagation: from seed: fresh or cold-moist treat by cuttings: divisions or hard-wood cuttings.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8 10/29/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND