Berberis pinnata (California Barberry)

Beautiful and easy, Berberis pinnata (California Barberry) is a vigorous medium-sized evergreen shrub with multi-season interest. In spring, dense terminal clusters of cheerful, bright golden-yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. They attract pollinators before giving way to clusters of round blue-black berries in late summer. Resembling small grapes, numerous birds feast on them. Edible, the berries may be eaten fresh off the plant, but they are a bit sour and full of seeds. The lustrous evergreen foliage of holly-like, wavy-edged, leathery leaves, emerges coppery-tinted in spring, then matures to glossy dark green by summer. This Berberis species is quite similar to Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape), and is sometimes called California Oregon Grape. Upright and slow-growing, California Barberry is native to coastal mountains, often near seeps or springs, on north-facing slopes, and in the fog belt, from Oregon to Baja California, where it occurs in forest, woodland, chaparral, and other habitat.

• Grows up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). Will spread by creeping runners to form a colony over time.
• A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in organically rich, moist but well-drained soils.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Perfect for shady borders, foundation plantings, screens and hedges or bank stabilization. Great for city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, woodland gardens.
• Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California