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Hybrid Mahonia
Mahonia x media
Medium · Some experienceAbout Hybrid Mahonia
Hybrid Mahonia is a group of striking evergreen shrubs growing 8-12 feet tall, crosses between M. japonica and M. lomariifolia. They produce spectacular long arching racemes of fragrant yellow flowers from November through January—some of the most dramatic winter-flowering displays in the plant kingdom. The bold pinnate leaves with spiny leaflets give them a tropical, almost palm-like appearance. The cultivar 'Charity' is the most widely grown, with up to 20 flower racemes radiating from each stem tip.
- Fragrant
- Shade-tolerant
- Architectural
- Evergreen
How to care for Hybrid Mahonia
Watering
- Springevery 7 days
- Summerevery 5 days
- Fallevery 10 days
- Winterevery 21 days
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
Balanced Feed 14-14-14
An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.
- Nitrogen · Leaves
- Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
- Potassium · Strength
- Springevery 30 days
At a Glance
- Height8–12 ft (2.4–3.7 m)
- Spread6–10 ft (1.8–3 m)
- Flower colorYellow
- Foliage colorDark-green, Green
- Fruit colorBlue, Black
- SoilLoamy, Well-drained
- LocationsYard
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
Nov–Jan
Long racemes of fragrant yellow flowers November to January
Fragrance
STRONG FRAGRANCE
The flowers have a sweet lily-of-the-valley fragrance.
Toxicity
Humans Slight · Pets Slight
berberine
Slight
- Fruit
- Root
- Bark
- Ingestion
EXPOSURE Eating fruit, roots, and bark.
EFFECT Mild GI upset from berberine.
NOTE Spiny leaves pose physical hazard. Contains berberine alkaloid like other Mahonia.
Slight
- Fruit
- Leaf
- Ingestion
EXPOSURE Eating fruit and leaves.
EFFECT Mild GI upset.
NOTE Spiny leaves pose physical hazard. Contains berberine alkaloid like other Mahonia.
Slight
- Fruit
- Leaf
- Ingestion
EXPOSURE Eating fruit and leaves.
EFFECT Mild GI upset.
NOTE Spiny leaves pose physical hazard. Contains berberine alkaloid like other Mahonia.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
History
Mahonia x media is a horticultural hybrid between the Japanese M. japonica and the Chinese/Burmese M. lomariifolia, first raised around 1951 at Lionel Fortescue's renowned garden at Buckland Monachorum, Devon, England, with the earliest seedling becoming the celebrated cultivar 'Charity'. The cross was simultaneously made at Slieve Donard Nursery in Northern Ireland. 'Charity' combines the cold hardiness and floriferousness of M. japonica with the spectacular long upright whorls of flower racemes and more vertical habit of the tender M. lomariifolia.
Other important selections from the same cross followed: 'Lionel Fortescue' (1964, yellow flowers, upright), 'Winter Sun' (1966, raised at Slieve Donard, bright yellow), 'Buckland', 'Underway', 'Faith', and 'Hope'. All have bold pinnate evergreen leaves with many leathery spiny leaflets, and in November through January produce spectacular candelabras of fragrant bright yellow flowers—a key winter nectar source for early bumblebees.
'Charity' received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Upright to 3-4 meters. 'Charity' was raised by Sir Eric Savill at the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, England, and named after his wife's charity work.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Hybrid Mahonia can symbolize courage, blooming boldly through the coldest months when most other shrubs withdraw. Another layer is drama, for its spectacular architectural form and tall winter flower spires give the garden a near-tropical silhouette in December. To grow mahonia × media is to keep a brave actor on the winter stage, a shrub that refuses to wait for spring to perform, lifting yellow flower racemes against the bare bones of January.
- Courage — blooms boldly through the coldest months
- Drama — spectacular architectural form with winter flower display
Where the Name Comes From
'Media' means 'intermediate' in Latin, referring to the hybrid's characteristics between its two parent species.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Winter-blooming yellow racemes carry lily-of-valley scent
- Blue-black berries feed birds in late winter
- Architectural winter-blooming shrub for shaded courtyards
- Bold pinnate evergreen foliage with winter flower spikes
Related plants
More Mahonia plants
Plants with similar care
Japanese MapleAcer palmatum
Azure MonkshoodAconitum carmichaelii
Florida HobblebushAgarista populifolia
Shell GingerAlpinia zerumbet
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Hybrid Mahonia?
In summer, water about every 5 days; in winter, about every 21 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.
How much light does Hybrid Mahonia need?
Part shade: 2–4 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Hybrid Mahonia toxic to cats or dogs?
Pets Slight (Dogs Slight · Cats Slight) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Hybrid Mahonia easy to grow?
It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.
When does Hybrid Mahonia bloom?
It typically blooms Nov–Jan in the Northern Hemisphere.
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