Mahonia
Mahonia x media
Mahonia is an invaluable winter-flowering evergreen shrub with bold, holly-like foliage and long, elegant racemes of bright yellow, scented flowers from November to March — a beacon of colour and nectar when the garden is bleak. The blue-black berries that follow feed birds in summer. Plant container-grown specimens in autumn or spring in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Mahonia is excellent in woodland gardens, shrub borders, or against a north-facing wall. Space 1.5m apart. Little pruning is needed — simply remove old stems after flowering to keep a balanced shape.
Plan where to grow Mahonia using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Plant Mahonia
Plant mahonia in October, November, March, April. It flowers from November to March.
Companion Plants for Mahonia
- Snowdrop
Snowdrops flower beneath mahonia in late winter, in the same light shade, giving a classic winter pairing of white and yellow.
- Hellebore
Hellebores flower in late winter and like the same moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade under shrubs.
- Camellia
Camellias share mahonia's liking for partial shade and add flowers in late winter and spring as the mahonia finishes; note that camellias need acidic soil.
Expected Yield
A mature shrub provides hundreds of winter flower spikes and summer berries.
Pruning Mahonia
Prune in spring straight after flowering. Mahonia x media can be cut back hard, shortening leggy stems to a whorl of leaves or even lower, which makes it bushier; on established plants also remove one or two old bare stems at the base.
Common Problems with Mahonia
Plant becomes leggy and bare at the base
Mahonia responds well to hard pruning. Cut one-third of the oldest stems to ground level after flowering to encourage fresh basal growth.
Leaves scorch in full sun
Mahonia prefers shade. If planted in too much sun, leaves turn bronze and crispy. Move to a shadier spot or provide afternoon shade.
No flowers in mild winters
Mahonia needs a cold period to set flower buds properly. In very mild coastal gardens, flowering can be erratic — choose a cooler microclimate.
Mahonia: common questions
When should I plant mahonia in the UK?
Plant mahonia in March–April and October–November.
How far apart should I plant mahonia?
Space mahonia about 1.5m apart. It grows to around 3m tall.
When does mahonia flower?
Mahonia usually flowers from November to March in the UK.
When should I prune mahonia?
Prune in spring straight after flowering. Mahonia x media can be cut back hard, shortening leggy stems to a whorl of leaves or even lower, which makes it bushier; on established plants also remove one or two old bare stems at the base.
What grows well with mahonia?
Good companions for mahonia include Snowdrop, Hellebore and Camellia. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is mahonia frost hardy?
Yes. Mahonia is hardy and survives a normal UK winter outdoors.
Plan your mahonia in the allotment planner
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