Dwarf Barberry (Mahonia pumila)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −17.8 °C

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good well-drained garden soil, but also succeeds in the light shade of trees[K]. This species is hardy to about -15°c if growing in a sheltered position. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets. Resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It usually germinates in the spring[K]. 'Green' seed (harvested when the embryo has fully developed but before the seed case has dried) should be sown as soon as it is harvested and germinates within 6 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in late winter or spring. 3 weeks cold stratification will improve its germination, which should take place in 3 - 6 months at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division of suckers in spring. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. We have seen no reports of edibility for this species, but it is certainly not poisonous. The fruit is likely to have an acid flavour and be suitable for making jams. jellies etc. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter.

Medicinal uses

A decoction of the roots is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects.

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit. A green dye is obtained from the leaves. This species forms suckers freely and should make a good dense ground cover in a sunny position.