Berberis fortunei
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Mahonia fortunei
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is for-TOO-nee-eye
- Description
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Chinese mahonia is an evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to China. It was introduced in 1846 by Robert Fortune from China. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for these plants, "barbaris."
The shrub will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and wide at a slow to moderate rate. It has a rounded form as the branches fall over and grow horizontally once they reach 3 to 4 feet long. The shrub is not particular about soil type as long as it is well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established but appreciates some water during drought conditions. Plant in partial to full shade and prune as needed. It is frost hardy to zone 8 and root hardy to zone 7.
From fall to winter, the shrub produces short clusters of yellow flowers that attract bees which are sometimes followed by purple-blue berries. The compound leaves are evergreen, spiny and provide a tropical flair.
Use this shrub as a hedge, in groups or along pond margins in woodland, shade, pollinator and winter gardens.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind. Chlorosis on high pH soils. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies.
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Curlyque'
Leaves are slightly twisted and new growth is bronze - 'Dan Hinkley'
Finely serrated leaves with red new growth
- 'Curlyque'
- 'Curlyque', 'Dan Hinkley'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Curlyque'
Leaves are slightly twisted and new growth is bronze - 'Dan Hinkley'
Finely serrated leaves with red new growth
- 'Curlyque'
- 'Curlyque', 'Dan Hinkley'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- fortunei
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern China and Taiwan
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer resistance
- Edibility:
- Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Blue-purple fruits in summer. Doesn't often set fruits in this country
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooms are yellow and appear on narrow, erect clusters 2 to 3 inches long in fall to winter.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Black
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaf is narrow, about 6 to 8 inches long with usually 7 leaflets. Leaflets are 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Leaves are odd-pinnately compound with leaflets alternately arranged. The margins have 5 to 10 or more spiny protrusions in a holly-like form.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Security
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
