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Shrubs

Mahonia trifolia

A slow-growing evergreen shrub, up to around 4m high, with pinnate leaves divided into 3-5 broadly ovate, leathery dark green leaflets, edged with spines, that are tinted purple in low temperatures. Small yellow flowers are borne in dense clusters in the leaf axils in spring, and are followed by waxy black berries

Synonyms

Mahonia eutriphylla misapplied
Mahonia schiedeana

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade
Full 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
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: C. Mexico

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. Needs winter frost protection, best suited to southern counties and inner city locations or cold greenhouse. 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

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

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases

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