Photo of Mahonia fortunei flower by Ing floral park haiku

Photo by Ing floral park haiku

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Mahonia fortunei

Also Known As

  • Berberis fortunei
  • Chinese Mahonia

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 3'-5'
  • W: 3'-5'

planting zones

  • 7a-9b

Mahonia fortunei plant details

Mahonia fortunei is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with gold, green and variegated foliage. In fall and winter yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, clay and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Mahonia fortunei

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: berberidaceae
Foliage: evergreen gold, green and variegated
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and winter
Uses: easy-to-grow, fall color, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Mahonia fortunei

USDA Zones: 7a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: average, clay and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Distinctive, narrow, matte-green leaflets radiate out on this unusual, narrow upright shrub 5-8' tall. Sweetly-scented, bright, lemon- yellow flowers appear in autumn, borne in narrow erect clusters. The blossoms mature to become bunches of dark-blue edible fruits which are very high in vitamin C. This highly ornamental shrub is easy-going; it makes a nice specimen or hedge and can even be grown indoors as an uncommon house-plant. S-PSh/M
This Chinese mahonia is elegant in its simplicity. Unbranched stems rise 3 to 4 feet with fern-like compound leaves, the leaflets narrow and green above, more yellow below. Clusters of lemony yellow flowers appear in late fall followed by purple black berries. Spreads slowly. Thrives in shade or sun, preferring more sun in colder climates, and prone to mildew in Pacific Northwest shade. Supplemental summer water in dry areas. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8; root hardy in zone 7 with protection. Berberidaceae
A Chinese Mahonia species. This is an upright growing plant with deep evergreen leaves. The yellow flowers are smaller than M. x media, but are still pretty.

Gardening facts about Mahonia fortunei plant

How to Grow Mahonia fortunei

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • average
    • well-drained

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • gold
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • winter
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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