Choosing a Mahonia

Choose by size

Some Mahonias grow quite reasonably for a small garden or balcony, while others reach heights and widths of 3 m, and even 4 to 5 m for the largest of all, Mahonia x media ‘Charity’. These bushes have an upright habit and grow slowly. They possess beautiful wrinkled bark, which becomes visible over the years as they tend to become bare at the base.

Mahonia between 80 cm and 1.30 m in height

• Mahonia aquifolium reaches 1 m in all directions at maturity, while the Mahonia aquifolium ‘Apollo’, a more floriferous variety, is also more compact at 80 cm in all directions.
• Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Sweet Winter’ also measures 1 m in all directions.
• Finally, Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’ and Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ are slightly wider than tall, reaching 1.20 m to 1.30 m in height at maturity with a width of 1.5 m.

Mahonia between 1.5 m and 2 m in height

• Mahonia ‘Cabaret’ and Mahonia ‘Volcano’ are both cultivars that reach 1.50 m in height at maturity with a fairly compact width of 1 m.
• When Mahonia japonica ‘Hivernant’ and Mahonia (x) wagneri ‘Pinnacle’ measure 1.50 m in all directions.
• Mahonia (x) wagneri ‘Fireflame’ reaches 2 m in height at maturity and slightly less in width, at 1.75 m.

The tallest Mahonias: 3 to 5 m

• Mahonia russellii and Mahonia bealei both reach 3 m in height with a spread of 1.50 m and 2 m, respectively.
• Mahonia (x) media ‘Winter Sun’ and Mahonia oiwakensis subsp. lomariifolia measure 3 m in all directions.
• Finally, the largest of all: Mahonia (x) media ‘Charity’ reaches 4 m, even 5 m in height, with a spread of 4 m.

Mahonia ‘Volcano’, Mahonia bealei, Mahonia x media

According to the shape and colour of the flowers

The flowers of Mahonias are all quite similar in colour and shape. Small, less than 2 cm, cup-shaped, they are grouped in long clusters, sometimes very elongated, measuring up to 50 cm in length and standing upright, as seen in Mahonia (x) media ‘Winter Sun’. They are sometimes much more compact: in Mahonia aquifolium, they measure a maximum of 10 cm long, and in ‘Apollo’ or Mahonia (x) wagneri ‘Pinnacle’, they range from 10 to 15 cm. In Mahonia russellii, they are trailing, in slightly loose clusters, and are cream white, washed with yellow and pink.

The flowers of Mahonia are very bright in mid-winter, when many varieties bloom. They are most often a lemon yellow. In Mahonia ‘Cabaret’, they are orange, and in Mahonia ‘Volcano’, they emerge from orange buds and create an orange-yellow effect when in bloom. They are melliferous and lightly scented with a fragrance reminiscent of lily of the valley.

Mahonia x wagneri ‘Fireflame’, Mahonia russellii, Mahonia aquifolium

According to the shape of the foliage

With fern-like soft foliage or spiny holly-like leaves, diversity reigns in the kingdom of Mahonias. All Mahonias are evergreen. Most often, the leaves are thick and leathery, pinnate, large, and divided into spiny leaflets. Their colour is dark green, sometimes tinged with blue or silver highlights, as seen in Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’. In autumn, they take on beautiful glowing colours of red, purple, and bronze. Their size varies, reaching up to 60 cm in length in the Mahonia oiwakensis subsp. lomariifolia.

The leaves of Mahonia aquifolium truly resemble holly leaves. Very different, those of Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ and ‘Sweet Winter’ are extremely fine and flexible, soft, resembling fern fronds. This is also the case for Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’, noted for its silver-reflecting foliage: it is also derived from the eurybracteata species and boasts long, fine, soft foliage.

Mahonia lomariifolia, Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’, Mahonia russellii

According to the flowering period

The flowering window is wide as, depending on the varieties of Mahonias, if you plant at least 3 different varieties, you can see them bloom from August to March.

From the end of summer, Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ kicks off the show, sometimes as early as August, along with Mahonia ‘Cabaret’ and Mahonia ‘Volcano’. Then, Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’ takes over from October to December.

Next come the bright winter blooms from December to February of Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ and ‘Winter Sun’. This is also the flowering period for Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Sweet Winter’, Mahonia bealei, Mahonia japonica ‘Hivernant’, and Mahonia lomariifolia.

The others finish the show between February and April: Mahonia aquifolium and Mahonia aquifolium ‘Apollo’, Mahonia (x) wagneri ‘Fireflame’ and ‘Pinnacle’.

An exception is Mahonia russellii: it blooms for the first time in March and may bloom again in October.

Depending on the exposure and the type of soil

Overall, Mahonias prefer partial shade and shade. The species Mahonia aquifolium tolerates sunlight. However, as it also withstands summer drought, it fares better if it receives shade during this season.

Plant Mahonia in slightly acidic or neutral soil, with a few exceptions: the Mahonias x wagneri, x media, and aquifolium tolerate slightly calcareous soil. The Mahonia russellii, on the other hand, prefers neutral soils.

They all enjoy well-draining, porous soils. Consequently, their enemy is compact, clayey soil. They appreciate fairly fertile and rich soils.

Finally, provide them with a sheltered position from cold winds, especially for the less hardy species.

According to hardiness

Mahonias are native to North America and Asia. The Asian species of Mahonia are less hardy than the North American species. Indeed, while some Mahonias are rated for USDA zone 5, hardy down to -28° C, others are limited to USDA zone 8, hardy to -12° C. The rest fall into zone 7, around -15° C.

The most frost-sensitive Mahonias, hardy down to -12° C, with possible damage to young plants

This is the case for the species eurybracteata ‘Sweet Winter’ and ‘Soft Caress’, as well as Mahonia russellii. It is advisable to protect them during the first years of cultivation with ground mulching and a winter cover.

The rather hardy Mahonias, between -15 and -20° C

The Mahonias that are resistant down to -15° C include Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ and ‘Winter Sun’, Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’, Mahonia japonica ‘Hivernant’, Mahonia lomariifolia, and Mahonia ‘Volcano’. The Mahonia bealei is hardy down to -20° C.

The very hardy Mahonias, beyond -20° C

The hardiest are Mahonia aquifolium and aquifolium ‘Apollo’, Mahonia ‘Cabaret’, and Mahonia (x) wagneri ‘Fireflame’ and ‘Pinnacle’.

According to the uses

There is a Mahonia for every garden size, for balconies and terraces, for exotic atmospheres or to enliven all garden styles in winter, as well as for use as a solitary sculptural piece.

In the background of an exotic bed or a winter flowering bed

Mahonias have an exotic appearance and are often associated with Acanthus, Tetrapanax, and Cannas. They are also ideal when you want to create a winter flowering bed with other bushes like witch hazels or Chimonanthus praecox, alongside perennials like hellebore.

In isolation or grouped

The larger varieties, with their upright habit and very architectural composition, make for stunning solitary specimens. Alternatively, medium and large specimens are enhanced by planting in groups of 3 or 5.

In a shrub bed

Within a shrub bed, they find their place with their remarkable and evergreen foliage and their explosive and vibrant flowering. Plant a few different varieties to achieve staggered flowering, alongside Cornus, Osmanthus, and Itea virginica, for example.

In a hedge

In a defensive hedge, spiny varieties accompany holly, and in a country hedge, they are planted with Ligustrum and Viburnums.

In a small garden or on a balcony

In a small garden, whether in the ground or in a pot, on a balcony, plant Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ or Mahonia confusa ‘Nara Hiri’.

Mahonia ‘Volcano’ in a pot, Mahonia russellii along a wall, and Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ as a solitary specimen