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Shrubs

Mahonia × media

Oregon grape hybrid

Mahonia x media is a large, evergreen, strongly upright shrub with leaves up to 45cm long composed of 17 to 21 tough, spiny leaflets. The small, cup-shaped, slightly-scented, yellow flowers are carried at the ends of the branches in clusters of long sprays, at first upright then spreading, and followed by juicy, oval, black berries

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Berries are ornamental, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Mahonia are evergreen shrubs with leathery, pinnate leaves which are often spine-toothed, and clustered racemes of sometimes fragrant yellow flowers, sometimes followed by black or purple berries
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows in most soils and situations. Tolerates shade, and sun if the soil is sufficiently moist. Protect from freezing winds. See mahonia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe or leaf bud cuttings in late summer or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally problem free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

Mahonia × media

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