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Mahonia bealei
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Beal's mahonia

An evergreen shrub to about 2m tall, with blue-green leaves divided into broad leaflets. Fragrant pale yellow flowers are produced in short upright racemes to 10cm in length from late autumn to early spring, followed by ovoid, blue-purple berries

Synonyms
Mahonia japonica Bealei Group
Berberis bealei
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Blue Green Blue Black
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Yellow Blue Green
Winter Yellow Blue Green Blue Black
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Berberidaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Berries are ornamental, not 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

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich moist but well-drained soil, suited to full or partial shade in a sheltered position but tolerant of sun if soil is not too dry. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or leaf bud cuttings from late summer to autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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