They have small, glossy, bluish-green leaves and red berries. One male to three female plants must be planted to yield berries. A look-alike holly that is native to the Northwest is Oregon grape holly. Creeping grape holly, native to western North America, is a low growing form. They bear shiny, spiny, green leaves that turn rich burgundy in the fall and remain through the winter.
Blue berries follow clusters of yellow flowers in the spring.
These plants are better adapted to alkaline soils, thrive on less water and perform best in partial shade. Permission is hereby given to duplicate this Plant talk Colorado TM script as is if credit is given to the sources.