Mahonia x media
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −23.3 °C
Cultivation
An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil. Survives under very heavy tree shade. The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Commonly grown as an ornamental plant, there are several named varieties. This plant often produces a good crop of fruit in April and May. It seems that a sheltered position helps to ensure a good crop, as does growing more than one cultivar together and perhaps also one or both of the parents (M. bealei and M. japonica)[K]. The cultivars 'Charity' and 'Lionel Fortescue' have both been seen on a number of occasions with heavy crops[K]. The flowers are very sweetly scented.
Propagation
Seed - this is a hybrid species and seed will not come true, though some interesting plants might be produced. The seed is 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. Stems will often root if they are stuck in the ground with most of their leaves removed.
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid flavour but the fruit is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit ripens in early spring and good crops have often been seen on plants growing in sheltered positions[K]. The fruit is produced in large clusters and so is easy to harvest[K].
Medicinal uses
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects.
Habitat
Not found in the wild.
Native range
A hybrid species of garden origin, M. lomariifolia x M. japonica.