Mahonia japonica
Overview
Uses: Shade gardens, woodland plantings, foundation plantings, and winter-interest borders.
Benefits: A bold evergreen for shade with large, spiny, holly-like leaves. Fragrant yellow flower sprays open in late winter and early spring, when little else is blooming, followed by dusty blue berries that birds eat. Deer tend to leave it alone.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–9
Sun: Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — coarse and architectural.
Bloom Color: Yellow
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Mature Height: 4–6 feet
Mature Width: 4–6 feet
Bloom Season: Winter, Spring
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
Fragrant yellow flowers in the dead of winter, on an evergreen built for shade.
Japanese mahonia has a look all its own. Each stem carries long leaves made up of glossy, spiny leaflets, arranged in tiers that give the plant a bold, almost sculptural outline. It brings that strong evergreen structure to the shady side of a house, a woodland edge, or a dim corner where most flowering shrubs grow thin.
Its biggest moment comes when little else is happening. In late winter and early spring, upright to arching sprays of soft yellow flowers open at the tips of the stems and carry a sweet scent on mild days. By summer those flowers become clusters of dusty blue berries that birds eat.
Growth is slow and steady, eventually reaching about four to six feet tall and wide. The spiny leaves also mean deer tend to pass it by, which makes it a useful evergreen for shady yards where browsing is a problem.
Care
Japanese Mahonia Care
Plant in partial to full shade. Morning sun is fine, but strong afternoon sun, especially in winter, can scorch or bleach the leaves.
It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and does well in slightly acidic conditions. Work compost into the planting area, and avoid spots that stay waterlogged.
Water regularly through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants handle short dry spells in shade, but steady moisture keeps the leaves looking their best. A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps hold that moisture.
In Zone 6, choose a site protected from cold, drying winter winds. Feed lightly in early spring with a slow release fertilizer if growth seems weak.
Prune right after flowering. If the plant becomes leggy, cut one or two of the oldest stems back near the base to encourage new, leafy growth from below. Wear gloves, since the leaf spines are sharp.
Size
What Size is the Japanese Mahonia for Sale Online?
Our Japanese Mahonia ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Japanese Mahonia Grow?
Expect about 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, with an upright, coarse-textured form. Space plants about 4 feet apart for a group planting.
Additional Information
Will it grow in deep shade?
It performs best in partial shade or bright, open shade under high trees. It will grow in fairly heavy shade, though flowering is lighter and the plant becomes more open. Avoid hot, full-sun sites, where the leaves are prone to scorching.
Is it the same as leatherleaf mahonia?
They are close relatives with a similar look, and the two are often confused in the nursery trade. Leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei) tends to hold its flower spikes more stiffly upright, while Japanese mahonia’s sprays are looser and more spreading. Both share the same spiny, tiered foliage and shade preference.
Do deer eat Japanese mahonia?
Deer usually leave it alone, thanks to its stiff, spiny leaves. No plant is completely deer-proof, but it is one of the more reliable evergreens for shady yards with heavy browsing. For more options, see our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens.
Is it a good evergreen for winter interest?
Yes. Its glossy leaves hold through winter, and it flowers in late winter when few other shrubs are blooming. Planted near a door or window, it gives you color and fragrance in the off-season. Browse more Evergreen Plants and other Shrubs & Bushes.
