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Berberis x hortensis is often confused with:
Berberis aquifolium Early spring in a woodland habitat.
Native alternative(s) for Berberis x hortensis:
Berberis canadensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis x hortensis 'Winter Sun' Form
Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'
Smilax smallii Form (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall

Berberis x hortensis

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Mahonia x media
Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is hor-TEN-sis
Description

Media Mahonia 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.  It does not self-seed in the garden the way other members of the genus can.  This plant has very attractive yellow flowers in the winter.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Arthur Menzies', 'Buckland', 'Charity', 'Hope', 'Winter Sun'
Tags:
#evergreen#winter interest#fall interest#deer resistant#showstopper#blue fruits#bird friendly#winter flowers#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Arthur Menzies', 'Buckland', 'Charity', 'Hope', 'Winter Sun'
Tags:
#evergreen#winter interest#fall interest#deer resistant#showstopper#blue fruits#bird friendly#winter flowers#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mahonia
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Fruit raw or cooked
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    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
    Perennial
    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