An architectural evergreen with bold ruffs of spiny holly-like leaflets and upright sprays of fragrant yellow flowers in winter, followed by blue berries. Superb for shady feature planting.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 2.5 m H × 2 m W
- Aspect: part shade or morning sun and shade and low-light positions
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Mahonia
Mahonia x media 'Charity' is a slow-growing shrub in the Berberidaceae family. It reaches around 2.5 m tall and 2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Yellow flowers appear in winter and autumn.
Where to grow Mahonia
Mahonia suits cool-temperate and warm-temperate climates and grows best in part shade or morning sun and shade and low-light positions. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Mahonia does best in free-draining and loamy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Mahonia is regular, moderate watering. A feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser keeps growth strong. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Mahonia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Mahonia in the garden
Mahonia earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, its fragrance, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden and feeding bees and pollinators.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Mahonia with other plants that enjoy the same regular, moderate watering and cool-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden.
Good to know
It is thorny — useful as a barrier, but wear gloves when pruning.
Buying Mahonia
Plant Sale lists Mahonia as potted plants and advanced specimens. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.