[93] Mahonia Holly
In spring the branches bear long hanging clusters of lightly fragrant yellow flowers which give way to dark blue berries in summer.
[99] Mahonia Holly . These useful and easy to grow plants remind many people of holly ilex though they re closely related to barberry berberis. Adding color and splendor to the shade garden mahonia aquifolium oregon grape holly is a striking evergreen shrub with multi season interest. The genus name of mahonia which honors american horticulturist bernard mcmahon is given to this plant though some botanists believe it should be placed in the berberis barberry genus.
Oregon grape holly mahonia aquifolium is a handsome 3 to 6 foot ornamental shrub that can play a number of roles in the garden. In spring racemes of cheerful bright golden yellow flowers appear just above the leaves. The garden in winter by larry rettig suggests many other ideas for winter interest.
Mahonia aquifolium oregon grape holly is a native american relative of leatherleaf. Why not read winter blooming shrubs. Several common species of oregon grape are known and many have numerous cultivars.
Fragrant they attract pollinators before giving way to clusters of dark blue purple edible berries in late summer. Brilliant yellow flowers in spring are followed by deep blue berries in fall. In spring racemes of cheerful bright golden yellow flowers appear just above the leaves.
All three are evergreen and have the characteristic holly like leaf shape some more pointed and prickly than others. Of the many species of mahonia three are abundant in oregon and throughout the pacific northwest. The shrub s appearance changes with the seasons.
Handsome typically spiny leaves are divided into leaflets. The latin name given to this species is mahonia aquifolium and it is part of the berberidaceae family. Forming an attractive and tight ground cover mahonia repens creeping mahonia is a low growing evergreen shrub with multi season interest.
Spiny foliage emerges with bronze red coloring turns green as it matures and develops a purple red coloring in the winter. Showy yellow flowers are borne in dense rounded or spikelike clusters in late winter or spring. An excellent easy care evergreen shrub for mass planting as a screen or as a single colorful accent.
The short list by jacqueline cross for ornamental alternatives to leatherleaf.