Mahonia napaulensis 'Maharajah'

RHS Plant Profile

Nepal mahonia 'Maharajah'

RHS

Synonyms

Mahonia × media 'Maharajah'

Shrubs

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A large, open, upright shrub with glossy, dark green leaves made up of 15 rather narrow, spiny leaflets. In early and mid-spring bears yellow flowers in spreading sprays, followed by blue-black berries with a white bloom

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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: Accepted

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 protection in colder areas, best suited to southern counties and inner city locations. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free