Mahonie

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Pest tolerant, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. A very easy plant to grow, thriving in any good garden soil and tolerating dense shade under trees. It grows well in heavy clay soils and also succeeds in dry soils if it is given a good mulch annually. It dislikes exposure to strong winds[K]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back into old wood if they grow too large and straggly. Spring is the best time to do this. Suckers are fairly freely produced, with established plants forming dense thickets. Most plants grown under this name are casual hybrids with M. repens. This species is easily confused with M. pinnata, with which it also hybridizes. The flowers are delicately scented. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. This plant is the state flower of Oregon. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2]. The berries are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn when they are fully ripe. Mahonia flowers in late winter to early spring producing clusters of yellow flowers. Mahonia species are moderate to fast growers, typically reaching maturity in about 2 to 3 years, depending on the specific species and growing conditions. Mahonia species are generally self-fertile, but cross-pollination can improve fruit set.

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Edible Uses: Drink Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is almost as large as a blackcurrant and is produced in large bunches so it is easy to harvest[K]. It has an acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw and is especially good when added to a porridge or muesli[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds, though some plants have larger and juicier fruits[K]. The cooked fruit tastes somewhat like blackcurrants[K]. The fruit can also be dried and stored for later use. Flowers - raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink.

Dye Hedge Hedge Agroforestry uses: Mahonia can be used as a hedge or ornamental plant and provides ground cover. The dense foliage offers shelter for wildlife and beneficial insects, and the berries attract birds. A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots. It is green according to another report. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit. A green dye is obtained from the leaves. This species can be grown as a low hedge and does not need trimming. Because of its suckering habit, it also makes a good dense ground cover plant though it can be slow to become established. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Mahonia species produce clusters of yellow flowers that are rich in nectar and attract a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The berries of Mahonia species are edible for birds and other wildlife, making them an important food source. The dense evergreen foliage also provides excellent shelter for small birds and insects, and it can offer nesting and roosting sites for birds. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The evergreen foliage and rough stems of Mahonia provide overwintering sites for invertebrates. The leaf litter from these plants can create a microhabitat for insects and small ground-dwelling organisms. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Mahonia species do not have a particularly strong or confusing scent that would act as a pest deterrent.

Heimisch: Alberta, British Columbia, DK, England [I] (England [I], Wales [I], Scotland [I], Isle of Man [I]); Ireland [I] (Ireland [I], Northern Ireland [I]); Netherlands [I]; Belgium [I]; Luxembourg [I]; Germany [I]; Switzerland [I]; Liechtenstein [I]; Austria [I]; Czech Republic [I]; Slovakia [I]; Hungary [I]; France [I]; Channel Isl. [I] (Jersey [I], Guernsey [I]); Italy [I]; San Marino [I]; Croatia [I]; Montenegro [I]; Serbia; Kosovo [I]; Siberia [I] (SW-Siberia [I]); Russian Far East (Sakhalin [I]); Uzbekistan [I]; Australia [I] (South Australia [I], Australian Capital Territory [I]); New Zealand [I]; Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Québec); USA (California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington State), FI, NO, Newfoundland, North America, SE, SK, UA, Vermont-US Eingeführt: AT, BA, BG, Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Bulgaria, Channel Is., Czech Republic, DE, DK, Denmark, EE, England, Estonia, European part of Russia, Finland, Flemish Region, France, GB, Germany, Great Britain, HR, Hungary, IE, Ireland, Italy, LU, Luxembourg, NL, NO, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Ontario, PL, Poland, Quebec, RO, RU, SE, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Wales, Walloon Region