Mahonia breviracema

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Mahonia breviracema?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Plants for pollinators
Shrubs

A compact evergreen shrub to around 1.2m high, with pinnate leaves to 16cm long, divided into pairs of spiny, leathery dark green leaflets. Small yellow flowers, with outer petals flushed with mauve, are borne in upright to spreading clusters to 7cm long in late autumn

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Sand, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Berries are ornamentalnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Mahonia are evergreen shrubs with leathery, pinnate leaves which are often spine-toothed, and clustered racemes of sometimes fragrant yellow flowers, sometimes followed by black or purple berries
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in partial or deep shade; will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is not too dry. Needs winter protection in colder areas, best for southern counties and inner city locations. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases