Mahonia x media

Berberidaceae
Evergreen, Shrubs

MAHONIA

Related to barberry (Berberis) and described under that name by some botanists. Easy to grow; good looking all year. Typically spiny-edged leaves are divided into leaflets; foliage can be quite prickly, so avoid setting mahonias too close to walkways or in other areas where they might snag passersby. Yellow flowers are borne in dense, rounded to spike-like clusters and followed by berrylike, typically blue or blue-black (sometimes red or brown) fruit with a powdery bloom. Generally disease resistant, though foliage is sometimes disfigured by a small looper caterpillar. Fruit of all mahonias attracts birds. In general, pruning is needed only to remove old, damaged stems or to correct rank growth; cut those stems all theway to the ground.

Mahonia x media

Hybrids between Mahonia lomariifolia and a Japanese species. Grows 6 to 12 ft. high and 6 ft.
wide, with erect stems that branch only slightly. Clustered deep green leaves are held horizontally
near ends of branches. Each leaf reaches 2 ft. long, has ranks of barbed leaflets arranged symmetrically along both sides of central leafstalk (with a single leaflet at the tip). Plants bear upright clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in late fall and winter. Blue berries. Takes partial shade and regular water.