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Native alternative(s) for Berberis x hortensis 'Winter Sun':
Berberis canadensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis x hortensis Leaves
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Smilax smallii Form (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall

Berberis x hortensis 'Winter Sun'

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun'
Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is hor-TEN-sis
Description

'Winter Sun' mahonia is a statuesque, evergreen shrub that makes an interesting focal point for the winter garden. In December, 'Winter Sun' lights up any garden with its bright yellow flower spikes perched above its course-textured, almost holly-looking, foliage.

Chosen as an improved selection in Ireland in 1966, this mahonia hybrid is a relative newcomer to the Carolinas. It has a more compact habit with more fragrant flowers than the common leatherleaf mahonia.

Even with its compact growth habit, 'Winter Sun' will still reach a height of 8 feet if left unpruned. Set out this mahonia in a partially shaded and protected location. Additional water is essential during prolonged summer droughts. Mulch the root area to protect in winter and help retain moisture in summer.

As an added benefit, the plant produces grape-like clusters of robins egg-blue berries in late spring that songbirds love to eat.

 

 

More information on Berberis x hortensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#shade garden#winter interest#fall interest#spines#showstopper#bird friendly#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#shade garden#winter interest#fall interest#spines#showstopper#bird friendly#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Clusters of robins egg-blue berries in fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Racemes of bright yellow bell-shaped flower in late winter to early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Compound leaves with 7-11 pairs of leaflets are holly-like with a glossy, leathery appearance and serrated edges. Fall color is purplish-red.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns