The range extends south into Oregon and as far east as Idaho. The natural habitat includes open woodland, edges of meadows and, in the interior, sagebrush covered hills. Tall Oregon-grape was introduced to European gardens in the early 1800s. Once planted it may need occasional pruning immediately after flowering to keep a neat form. Cold, drying winter winds kill exposed foliage.
Landscapers use it widely around institutional buildings on south Vancouver Island.
Tall Oregon-grape plants are easily obtained from garden centres and nurseries on the west coast. They can be grown from seed too. Sow ripe seed in the fall and transplant young seedlings the following fall into nursery beds. At the Native Plant Garden of the Royal British Columbia Museum tall Oregon-grape spreads widely by seed into adjacent herbaceous beds. First Peoples knew tall Oregon-grape well.