Mahonia japonica
Family - Berberidaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Japan, Taiwan
Season of Interest - Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 1.8m
Width - 1.5m or more
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A medium-sized, Evergreen Shrub with an upright, bushy habit. Leathery, dark green leaves are ovate to oval in shape and have toothed, spiny margins. Small, cup-shaped flowers are bright yellow and are sweetly scented. The flowers are held in lax Racemes at the tips of the stems and are produced from late autumn into early spring. The stamens on each flower are touch-sensitive. If touched, the stamens will rapidly bend inwards. This allows them to disperse pollen more quickly, but also helps to deter potential predators. The flowers are followed by round, purple berries. Attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small, cup-shaped flowers are bright yellow and sweetly scented. The flowers are held in bunches of lax racemes at the tips of the branches. The flowers are produced from November into March and are followed by round, purple-blue berries. The flowers have touch-sensitive stamens which help to disperse pollen more quickly and help intimidate potential predators. When touched, the stamens will quickly bend inwards. They will return to the normal position soon after the disturbance is no longer detected.
Flower colour: Yellow
Flower shape: Cup-shaped flowers held in racemes
Flowering time: November, December, January, February, March
Foliage:
Leathery, dark green, pinnate leaves have ovate to oval leaflets with spiny toothed margins. The leaves are Alternately arranged on upright stems.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Pinnate with ovate to oval leaflets
Propagation:
Cuttings, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.