Lovely Oregon Grape

Lovely Oregon Grape

Neither shade nor drought
hinder the evergreen growth
of Oregon Grape;

holly-like, pinnate
bronze new leaves turn bright shiny
green throughout the year—

until autumn brings
burgundy to their dense growth,
where animals hide;

in spring winter’s green
sprouts clusters of bright yellow,
delicate flowers

that bear deep blue, sour
berries loved by grouse, robins,
foxes and raccoons—

Wildlife habitat,
a lovely hedge could make a
hide-away garden.

SHERI EDWARDS
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
HAIKU 4/10/26

Once we had tiger lilies growing in a row separating the back yard from the side yard around a lilac bush. But time passed and now the Oregon Grape have spread to from a hedge on the sides of the lilac bush. I rather like it. I never thought of this bush as a screen, but it obviously works– and provides shelter and food for our local little creatures. A native animal habitat in the back yard.

Learn more:

National Park Service

Washington Native Plant Society

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