Mahonia japonica

• BOTANICAL NAME: Mahonia japonica
• PRONUNCIATION: ma-HO-ni-a ja-PON-i-ca
• COMMON NAME: Japanese Mahonia
• FAMILY: Berberidaceae
• NATIVITY: Korea, Japan
• GROWTH HABIT: Upright shrub, with multiple erect branches and foliage primarily terminal.
• SIZE: 6 - 10' tall
• HARDINESS: Zone 6 - 8
• CULTURE: Tolerates full sun/shade but performs better in partial shade.
  Well-drained, moist, acidic soils result in the best growth. Does not do
  well in hot, dry environments.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Good plant for use under open canopies or in drifts in
  large gardens. A bird-attracting plant.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, pinnately compound (13 - 19 leaflets), lanceolate- to
  oblong-ovate, spinose margins, 12 - 18" long. Extremely stiff, plastic-like leaves.
  These leaves are not as spiny as M. bealei. Deep green color, lacking
  the blue-green of some Mahonia.
• BUDS:
• BARK: Distinct yellow inner bark.
• FLOWERS: Pendulous, loose racemes, made up of fragrant yellow
  flowers 4 - 8" long. Borne in March - April.
• FRUIT: Blue- black drupes, 3/8" long cascade over the foliage in the late spring.
• PROPAGATION: Seed.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS: