Japanese Mahonia (Berberis japonica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Despite its name, Japanese Mahonia is an evergreen shrub native to Taiwan and grown in shady U.S. gardens. Glossy leaflets have sharp teeth, and fragrant yellow flowers appear in early spring.

Appearance

Growth form: This evergreen shrub can reach about 5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m) in a garden.
Leaves: Each long leaf is divided into several stiff, glossy leaflets with sharp teeth.
Flowers: Fragrant yellow flowers hang in loose clusters near the ends of the stems.
Flowering time: It blooms in March and April.
Fruit: The small fruits ripen blue-black in late spring to early summer.

Look-alikes

Leatherleaf MahoniaBerberis bealei

Look at a flowering branch. Japanese Mahonia usually has looser, spreading or drooping flower clusters and narrower leaflets; Leatherleaf Mahonia has shorter, upright clusters and broader leaflets.

Why they get mixed upBoth are evergreen shrubs with prickly leaflets and yellow flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Shaded gardens
Shrub borders
Range: It was introduced to Japan. It is grown in U.S. gardens and is suited to hardiness zones 6–8.
Preferred conditions: It grows in partial to full shade and tolerates some dryness once established.
Flowering: Flowers Mar–Apr
Flowers Mar–Apr

Name and classification

About the name: Mahonia japonica is an older scientific name for this plant. The hybrid Berberis × hortensis has this species as one parent. Japanese Mahonia is also called Oregon grape-holly.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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