Mahonia aquifolium 'Smaragd'

Shrubs

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A compact, evergreen shrub to 60cm tall with upright branches bearing glossy, dark green leaves, bronze when young and turning shades of deep purple and red in winter. Large clusters of densely-packed yellow flowers are borne in spring and followed by blue-black berries

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Suckering
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. See mahonia cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust and powdery mildew