Side by side
Holly or Oregon grape? How to tell them apart
Ilex aquifolium · Berberis aquifolium
How to tell them apart – holly: simple leaves and red berries; Oregon grape: evergreen shrub with pinnate, holly-like spiny leaves and yellow flower clusters in spring.
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How do you recognise them?
- Holly
- Evergreen, glossy leaf with spiny edges; red berries in winter.
- Compared with Oregon grape: simple leaves and red berries.
- Oregon grape
- Evergreen shrub with pinnate, holly-like spiny leaves and yellow flower clusters in spring.
| Holly | Oregon grape | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy dark green, 5–10 cm; wavy edge with sharp spines. Higher up the tree the leaves are often spineless. | Alternate, pinnate with 5–9 glossy, spiny-toothed leaflets; often reddish in winter. |
| Flowering | May | Upright clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in March–May (March–May). |
| Fruit | Red berries on female trees, from autumn into spring. Poisonous to humans. | Bluish-black berries with a waxy bloom, edible but sour. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey, even on old trees. | Greyish-brown; the wood is yellow. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 3–15 m | Shrub, 1–2 m |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, naturalised |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April and July–August | May–June |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Holly is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Holly is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Holly
- Plant profile: Oregon grape
- Holly: when and how to prune
- Oregon grape: when and how to prune
- Identification key: the question that separates them
Also looks like
- Holly or Japanese holly
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Holly or holly olive
- Holly or holm oak
- Sacred bamboo or Oregon grape
- Oregon grape or holly olive
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.