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Other cultivars/species:
Mahonia
repens, Mahonia aquifolium ‘Compacta’ |
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Extra notes and interesting information:
Introduced to cultivation in 1822 and now still
coveted in Europe. One of our best and most useful
native ground covers. The fruits are loved by birds
and animals. Native peoples ate the berries raw, mix
them with sweeter berries and made them into dry
cakes. Bark is bright yellow inside and was used for
make a yellow dye for baskets and other materials.
Many botanists now regard Mahonia to be members of
the genus Berberis; still usually regarded as
Mahonia in the nursery trade.
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Natural Range:
Wide-spread in open woodlands from British Columbia to Northern
California, mostly west of the Cascades.
Hardiness:
USDA
Zones 5-9 |
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References:
Brenzel,
Kathleen Norris, Ed. 2001. Sunset Western Garden Book, 7th ed. Sunset
Publishing Corporation, Menlo Park, CA
Kruckeberg, A. R., 1982. Gardening with Plants of the Pacific
Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
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Conditions:
:
Partial to full shade. It requires little water, can grow in full sun
with regular water. |
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at
a glance:
Common Name:
longleaf
mahonia; Cascade Oregon grape; Cascades mahonia
Location: Widespread
throughout the Gardens native woodlands.
Plant type:
Evergreen shrub
Family:
Berberidaceae
Height/Spread:
Slow
growing, 1 to rarely 4 feet tall; spreads 4-5 feet wide.
Leaves: Pinnately compound leaves that reach 7-16 inches long and are made up
of 11 to19 dark green 2-3 inch long, spiny toothed leaflets. Leaves
become reddish during winter. Plant creates the impression of a stiff
leathery fern.
Flower:
Early spring flowers are yellow and are borne in upright, 3-6 inch
long clusters. The flowers add an impressive element of color
contrast against the foliage during late spring. The fruit that
follows is a round blue-black berry.
Disease/pests:
Leaf
Spot and Rust can be an aesthetic problem although rarely requires
treatment.
Bloom Period:
Early
spring. |
Complete
Index
