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Shrubs

Mahonia leschenaultii

This species is from South India, a large shrub or small tree in the wild, to 2m tall in the UK, with corky bark and dark green leaves 48cm long with glossy spiny leaflets, and long upright or ascending racemes of fragrant, yellow flowers in late autumn or early winter, and followed by small purple fruit

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

Botanical details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
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: India

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. May need winter frost protection, best suited to southern counties and inner city locations, or a cold greenhouse. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Prune every other year to encourage bushy growth - pruning group 8.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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