tj

Are you really attached to it? You have given bush a good chance, 4years there. Do you have another location you could try it in? Maybe more sun, less wind exposure, could help it look a bit better all winter. Not sure if spraying with an anti-dessicant spray would help the looks over winter or not. The spray is advised for other big leaved evergreen shrubs like holly during winter winds. Applied a couple times during winter.

I think I would consider what I want from a bush in this location. Color year round, flowers, fall color, pretty winter bark, interesting shapes when leaves fall off?

You said the Oak does not affect the amount of sun. Not sure of your dirt type, moist, fast draining, dry, so you need to consider that. You can ammend the soil when you plant a new choice.

I would go choose something totally different to plant at house corner, move the Grape Holly to another location. You could go with another reliable, common bush, have dependable results. The older choices survived because you can count on them, are attractive. Large Spireas, Lilac, Japanese Maples. You could try something new and exciting, just to experiment. Take a list of your wants in size, color. Talk to the folks at a bigger Nursery, NOT Home Depot or one like it, see what they think would meet your choices.

Think out of the ordinary. Evergreens could be shaped, not just a blue spruce. Viburnums or tough Hydrangeas, Cranberry, instead of Lilacs. Maybe a larger speciman with smaller bushes around it. Bloom or fall color giving multi season attractions.

My stuff gets a couple years, better be doing something or it gets moved on. I want results, can't wait forever.

I really like flowers, so most of my bushes flower at some point, usually have 3 season interest with fall color, pretty bark. Twisty branches like the filburts or shapes like weeping cherry, can be very attractive in winter.

Have FUN gardening, let a plant go, if it is not performing. YOU will be happier with something else in that place. I pot them up, put a label on plant, FREE sign on it out by the road. They have all moved along.

tj

Doubtful that you could give it too much sun there, as west Oregon is mostly rain free and sunny most of the summer.

It also does fine in part shade. We have a bunch, and most happen to be in partial shade of our madrone and pine trees. And the leaves look very good.

If you did not put mulch over it's roots, that could be one reason for the browning. If you did mulch, I'd be thinking that temperature extremes or cold dry winds may be more to blame.

Out here, it's range and habitat is commonly under 4000 feet elevation, where the cold weather extremes are minimal.

Also, it can get some bronze color in winter, rather than brown. So if "brown" is actually what you are experiencing, it may well be that the weather is too extreme.

Might be why range maps show that it also grows in some eastern states, but up NE where you are, nor around the Dakotas either.

If you come across plants that may be native to the Pacific NW, feel free to post a question at Turf and Trees

Turf to Trees

An Oregon based resource with at least one Forest and one Landscape section to post a question about native plants like Oregon Grape and others.