Woody > Berberis > Berberis aquifolium > Berberis aquifolium 'Apollo'
Berberis aquifolium
'Apollo'
Apollo Oregon Grape
Mike's
Opinion
"
Berberis aquifolium 'Apollo' is a multi seasonal, hardy plant that can survive very harsh winters. It has vigorous, low spreading, glossy, deep green, pinnate leaves often turning purple in winter. In the spring it has an abundance of richly yellow flowers in large clusters and edible berries in autumn. It will virtually grow anywhere, even beneath other trees and shrubs.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Berberidaceae |
| Genus |
| Berberis |
| Species |
| aquifolium |
| Cultivar |
| 'Apollo' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Synonyms |
| Mahonia aquifolium 'Apollo'(Name changed to Berberis aquifolium 'Apollo' in 2019) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 7b - 8a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 7 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H5 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -15 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 5 - 15 |
| Height |
| 1 - 2 m |
| Spread |
| 1 - 3 m |
Photographs
Awards
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Berberis aquifolium 'Apollo' or Apollo Oregon Grape is a hardy, ground-covering shrub bearing large, voluptuous clusters of yellow flowers in spring and summer and blackish-purple, edible fruit in autumn. |
| Landscape |
| Used mainly as ground cover. Also can be placed on banks and slopes since it needs little moisture. It will attract wildlife such as birds, butterflies and bees. Also does well in residential and commercial locations, parks and coastal areas. |
| Cultivation |
| Grow in shade, in well drained soil. Moderate tolerance to salt. Needs very little water; very heat and cold resistant. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| In spring and summer leaves are glossy dark green and spine-toothed; flower clusters are vibrant yellow. In autumn, stems turn purple and bear clusters of dark blue almost back berries. |
| Pests |
| Possible problems include: gall and scale insects, rust and powdery mildew. Flowers and fruit may attract unwanted wildlife. |
| Habitat |
| Near woods and bush lands, in oak and conifer forests and on mountain slopes. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Red and corklike, somewhat irregular, covered with scars from foliage and flower buds. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Leaf buds are 5 mm in diameter and flower buds are larger, brown and terminal. Each appears in early spring. |
| Leaf Description |
| Glossy, leathery, dark green, pinnate, spine-toothed, up to 20 cm long, glossy purple in winter. |
| Flower Description |
| Small, vibrant yellow, in large, dense clusters. |
| Fruit Description |
| Berry-like, blackish-purple, clustered. Berries are edible and can be made into jam. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark green leaves in spring and summer, turning purple in autumn and winter. Stems are red throughout all seasons. Flowers are vibrant yellow turning into blackish-purple berries. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| By grafting, layering or hard wood cuttings. Roots require soaking prior to planting. Plant cuttings twice as deep as their length. Add a handful of bone meal to promote growth. Can also be propagated from seed after being eaten by birds or scarification. |
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