mahonia
Berberis trifoliolata
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size2 to 6 feet tall2 to 6 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Mahonia (Berberis trifoliolata) is a shrub for borders, low maintenance gardens, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil of most types. Its holly-like leaves have sharp spines, and fragrant yellow flowers open in late winter. Songbirds eat the red berries, and quail use the thickets for cover. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything.
Pairs well with Texas mountain laurel, Tickseed, and Mondo grass.
Native range
Southern United States and Mexico.