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Berberis bealei

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Mahonia bealei
Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is bee-LAY
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

This is an informal, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub with irregular, strong upright stems. It grows up to 10' tall, is upright, and is scarcely branching. Showy, fragrant yellow blooms appear in the late winter. Abundant grape-like fruits appear in late summer. This plant has a tiering habit and cane-like growth. It is drought-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant but is also considered invasive in the southeast. The NC Invasive Plant Council lists this plant as invasive in NC.

The color will bleach out if this shrub is grown in full sun, but does require a few hours of sun per day to flower.   It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil but tolerates heavy clay. Harsh winds should be avoided. It has very slow growth and is relatively pest free. It will spread by suckers. The shrub can be pruned, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Odd pinnately compound, stiff evergreen leaves
  • Leaflets are sessile, spiny, terminal larger than laterals
  • Medium evergreen shrub with tiering habit

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The NC Invasive Plant Council lists this plant as invasive in NC. No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spots, powdery mildew and rusts may occur. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies. See native alternatives to the left.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#woody#security plant#high maintenance#deer resistant#spines#fantz#evergreen shrub#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#salt tolerant#woody#security plant#high maintenance#deer resistant#spines#fantz#evergreen shrub#urban conditions tolerant#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Species:
    bealei
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & Southern China
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract bees and fruit attracts birds.
    Edibility:
    Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are globose berries that are blue-black in color and less than an inch in size.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are lemon yellow and weakly foetid. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Pinnatifid
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. Leaflets (9-13) are sessile, terminal leaflet is larger than lateral leaflets. Leaflets are spiny-toothed (3-4 teeth per side), bases slightly overlap, are rigid, and are olive-green in color. Leaves are 1-2' long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are roundish, stout, and become gray-brown as they mature.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Spines/Thorns
    Weedy