Mahonia
Mahonia aquifolium and M. × media
Mahonias are evergreen shrubs with spiny, holly-like leaves and sprays of fragrant yellow flowers in winter, followed by blue-black berries. They thrive in shade and feed winter bees.
Photo: The original uploader was Meggar at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Low light
Watering
Moderate
Water young plants; established shrubs tolerate dry shade.
Soil
Most well-drained soils; pH 5.5–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-25–32 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Mulch with compost in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, seed
Cut leggy stems back after flowering.
The berries are edible when cooked in jams; the roots and bark contain alkaloids and should not be eaten.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant near paths to enjoy winter scent.
Wear gloves; leaves are spiny.
Good under trees.
Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.
Common problems
Leaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →DiseasePowdery mildew
A fungal disease that coats leaves, buds and young shoots with a white, flour-like dust, weakening the plant and spoiling flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →DiseaseRust
A fungal disease that forms orange, brown or yellow powdery pustules, mainly on leaf undersides.
How to treat it →
