Mahonia × media 'Home Wood'

Shrubs

An evergreen shrub with an upright habit and dramatic foliage. Pinnate leaves are up to 70cm long, divided into pairs of spiny, slightly glossy, dark green leaflets. Small, slightly fragrant yellow flowers are borne in ascending clusters to 35cm long in late autumn and winter, followed by blue-black berries

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in partial or deep shade; will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is not too dry. Mahonia appreciate an annual mulch with well-rotted manure or garden compost in autumn. Water in very dry periods – water well if needed but not often. See mahonia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
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