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Berberis x hortensis is often confused with:: Berberis aquifolium
Native alternative(s) for Berberis x hortensis:: Chionanthus virginicus
Plants that fill a similar niche:: Berberis x hortensis 'Winter Sun'; Muhlenbergia capillaris; Gelsemium sempervirens

Media Mahonia Berberis x hortensis

Other Common Name(s):

Oregon Grape

Previously known as:

Mahonia x media

Phonetic Spelling

BER-ber-is hor-TEN-sis

Description

Oregan Grape is an interspecific hybrid shrub. It grows in a wide range of soils but prefers to be evenly moist in well-drained acidic soil. Plant in part shade in an area protected from harsh winds. It is drought tolerant and its fruit attracts birds.

It does well in a woodland setting or as a specimen plant. Adds winter interest to the garden.

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Buckland'
Grows to 20 feet tall
'Charity'
Frond-like leaves, whorled on stems

Tags:

#evergreen #fall color #wildlife plant #winter interest #show stopper #fire #deer resistant #blue fruits #bird friendly #winter flowers

Leaves — Flowers Manuel CC BY 4.0

Form — Form Wendy Cutler CC BY 2.0

Leaves and flowers — Leaves and flowers Wendy Cutler CC BY 2.0

Close up of flower 'Winter Sun' — Close up of flower 'Winter Sun' javier martin Public Domain Mark 1.0

Leaf closeup — Leaf closeup Tobias 67 CC BY-SA 4.0

Fall color — Fall color Lucy Bradley CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Flowers — Flowers Nacho CC BY 2.0

Form and fruit — Form and fruit Nacho CC BY 2.0

Close up of fruit — Close up of fruit Nacho CC BY 2.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Buckland'
Grows to 20 feet tall
'Charity'
Frond-like leaves, whorled on stems

Tags:

#evergreen #fall color #wildlife plant #winter interest #show stopper #fire #deer resistant #blue fruits #bird friendly #winter flowers

Attributes:
Genus:

Mahonia

Family:

Berberidaceae

Uses (Ethnobotany):

Fruit raw or cooked

Life Cycle:

Woody

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Seed

Country Or Region Of Origin:

Australia, Asia, Europe

Wildlife Value:

Fruit attracts birds

Dimensions:

Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.

Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Edible

Shrub

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Habit/Form:

Erect

Growth Rate:

Slow

Maintenance:

Low

Texture:

Coarse

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Texture:

Clay

Loam (Silt)

Sand

Soil pH:

Acid (<6.0)

Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Available Space To Plant:

6-feet-12 feet

12-24 feet

NC Region:

Coastal

Piedmont

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Black

Blue

Fruit Value To Gardener:

Showy

Display/Harvest Time:

Fall

Fruit Type:

Berry

Fruit Length:

< 1 inch

Fruit Width:

< 1 inch

Fruit Description:

Blue/black clusters of grape-like showy fruits.

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Gold/Yellow

Flower Inflorescence:

Raceme

Flower Value To Gardener:

Fragrant

Showy

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Winter

Flower Shape:

Bell

Flower Description:

Flowers from February to April with very sweetly scented yellow blooms.

Leaves:
Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Leaf Color:

Green

Leaf Feel:

Glossy

Leathery

Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:

Red/Burgundy

Leaf Type:

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Obovate

Ovate

Leaf Margin:

Dentate

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Description:

The 10-24 inch long compound leaves have 11-17 pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The fall color is in reds.

Bark:
Bark Description:

Bark has insignificant ornamental value

Stem:
Stem Color:

Green

Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Woodland

Landscape Theme:

Shade Garden

Winter Garden

Design Feature:

Specimen

Attracts:

Songbirds

Resistance To Challenges:

Deer

Fire