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Native alternative(s) for Berberis x hortensis 'Arthur Menzies':
Berberis canadensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis repens Mahonia repens
Hamamelis virginiana Leaves
Lonicera acuminata Lonicera alseuosmoides

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

'Arthur Menzies' is an artificial hybrid evergreen shrub in the barberry family.  Plant in full sun to partial shade.  The leaves are very coarse-textured providing structural interest in the landscape as a specimen plant.  It has showy yellow flowers that bloom from the fall through winter followed by blue-purple fruits.   It blooms later than 'Charity'.  Once it is established it is drought tolerant and deer resistant.

More information on Berberis x hortensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#winter interest#upright form#deer resistant#spines#blue fruits#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#nectar plant fall#nectar plant winter#flowers early fall#flowers late winter#flowers mid-winter#flowers early winter#flowers late fall#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Mahonia x Arthur Menzies
Full Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Mahonia x Arthur Menzies
Fruit and Leaves Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Mahonia x Arthur Menzies
Fruit Close-up Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#yellow flowers#winter interest#upright form#deer resistant#spines#blue fruits#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#nectar plant fall#nectar plant winter#flowers early fall#flowers late winter#flowers mid-winter#flowers early winter#flowers late fall#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and bees.
    Edibility:
    Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • 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 pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Bright yellow fragrant flowers bloom fall through winter in erect clusters.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Architectural blue-green pinnately compound leaves with up to 19 spined leaflets
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Older bark is ridged
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns