I had a beautiful Oregon Grape about five years old when a medical problem prevented me from caring for most of my plants. I had purchased my Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ (Oregon Grape hybrid) at Vashon’s DIG nursery (now defunct) at least ten years ago.  I’m not sure why two years of neglect made it disappear, but I wouldn’t rule out it being stolen.  I plan to just start over, this hybrid should be easy to find in the  Seattle area nurseries.

         The origin of various Oregon Grapes has a history of Asian plants, from China, Japan and Burma. Handsome, spiny leaves are divided into leaflets that change colors with the seasons. Showy yellow flowers bloom from dense, rounded or spike-like clusters in late winter or early spring. 

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