Mexican Barberry Berberis gracilis
Previously known as:
- Mahonia gracilis
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is GRASS-il-is
- Description
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Mexican Barberry is an evergreen shrub native to Mexico with glossy, leathery leaves, lemon yellow flowers followed by copious blue fruits. Plant in the full sun to partial shade, this plant is drought tolerant once established. It flowers from fall through winter providing interest in the landscape.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- gracilis
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds enjoy the fruits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Smooth elliptical blue fruits
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Bright yellow flowers appear from late fall until early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Security
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
