Berberis x hortensis 'Arthur Menzies'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Mahonia x media 'Arthur Menzies'
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is hor-TEN-sis
- Description
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'Arthur Menzies' is an artificial hybrid evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) found by and named for a former supervisor of plant accessions at San Francisco’s Strybing Arboretum, Arthur Menzies, who sent the seedling to Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, in 1961.
The shrub will grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide and is best grown in evenly moist well-drained soil and partial shade, with protection from winter winds. It is drought- and deer-tolerant once established. Prune in late winter before new growth appears to remove damaged stems and shape.
The showy fragrant yellow flowers appear from fall through winter atop the foliage in upright clusters. The compound leaves have numerous spiny holly-like leaflets, adding structure to the garden. In summer, it displays clusters of blue-black berries. This hybrid is more cold-tolerant and blooms earlier than other similar hybrids.
Use this shrub as a specimen, accent or in a border of a drought-tolerant or winter garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur from too wet soils. Watch for powdery mildew or black rot. Watch for spider mites and scales.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and bees. Birds will eat the fruits.
- Edibility:
- Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 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:
- Erect
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Bright yellow fragrant flowers bloom fall through winter in erect clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Architectural blue-green pinnately compound leaves with up to 19 spined leaflets
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Older bark is ridged
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
