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Native alternative(s) for Berberis x hortensis 'Arthur Menzies':
Berberis canadensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis repens Creeping plant with blue berries.
Hamamelis virginiana Leaves
Lonicera acuminata Lonicera alseuosmoides
Berberis x hortensis 'Arthur Menzies' has some common insect problems:
Twobanded Japanese Weevil
Indian Wax Scale Insect
Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants

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 (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.

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
 
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
    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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Older bark is ridged
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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