Size
Mahonia or Oregon Grape is a small tree or large evergreen shrub with leathery, large architectural leaves, often spine-toothed, and clustered spikes of sometimes fragrant yellow flowers, sometimes followed by black or purple berries.
It flowers from late autumn, the flower spikes and leaves being much in demand by flower arrangers
Height and spread up to 2.5m after 10 years, and can be pruned to shape mid to late spring when required.
Growing Conditions
Mahonia can be grown almost anywhere in the garden, it prefers full sun or partial shade and can cope with windy or exposed areas of a garden.
Effort to Grow
Easy to grow, fully hardy will grow on all soil types.
The large leaves can get caught by high winds, destabilising the plant and snow can lie on the leaves forcing the branches downwards (tap the trunk and shake off the snow to get the plant back into shape)
Why plant this tree in your garden?
The bright large yellow flower spikes create a focal point in the garden when most other plants are dormant.
The evergreen leaves are architectural and useful for flower arranging.
The plant provides a good backdrop in summer to summer flowering and seasonal plants
What to look out for when planting and in the first 2 years
Easy to grow, tolerant of most conditions. Keep well watered until established
Generally disease free.
What to look out for when the tree is established (2 years or more after planting or if you inherit it)
Prune in late spring after flowering to stop the mahonia taking over and restricting other plants.
