Lane Greer
Family
Berberidaceae
Botanical Name
Mahonia
Plant Common Name
Grape Holly
General Description
This is certainly a genus in flux. Some taxonomists accept Mahonia as a generic entity while many others consider its species compound-leaved Berberis. Its taxonomic delineations are still not clear. The ~200 species traditionally listed under the genus exist in North America, Asia and Central and South America. They are shrubby, typically evergreen, and inhabit coastal and forested regions. The genus was named in honor of Bernard McMahon, an Irish horticulturist that emigrated to Philadelphia and worked with the plant collections from the Lewis and Clark expedition. Mahonia aquifolium was one of the exciting new plants they brought from back East from the Pacific Northwest.
All Mahonia have compound leaves that tend to be lustrous and deep or medium green. Some of the best known species for landscaping, like Oregon holly grape (Mahonia aquifolium) and Beale's barberry (Mahonia bealei), have holly-like leaves with spiny edges. Bloom time varies from species to species. The flowers are typically borne in terminal clusters and consist of small, multi-petaled yellow or ivory blooms. Many are fragrant. The berry fruits that follow are often blue or blue-black.
Culture is species dependent but many commonly cultivated Mahonia grow best in rich, fertile, slightly acid soil with good drainage. Dry soils should be avoided. Most species require protection from high winds and hot sun as they can result in leaf dessication and scorch. Several pests and pathogens can be problematic, particularly whitefly, barberry aphids and fungal leaf spots. This is an ideal woodland shrub that's also at home in protected foundation plantings.
