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Shrubs

Mahonia × media 'Lionel Fortescue'

Oregon grape 'Lionel Fortescue'

'Lionel Fortescue' is a large, erect evergreen shrub with spiny, pinnate leaves to 45cm in length. Flowers bright yellow, scented, in clustered upright racemes to 40cm in length. Berries blue-black

Synonyms

Mahonia 'Lionel Fortescue'

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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
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 the UK: 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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in shade or partial shade. Good for a woodland setting. See mahonia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust and powdery mildews

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