A focus on leatherleaf mahonia
Could a gardener possibly ask more of a landscape shrub than to display attractive foliage year-round and live up to a low maintenance-reputation? The Shepherdstown home gardener can expect that level of service and even more from the leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei).
Fragrant, lemon yellow flower racemes, drooping 3-6 inches, cloak this broadleaf evergreen from winter through early spring. Spent blooms are soon followed by waxy green, grape-like fruit clusters that turn showy blue-black in late spring. Lustrous, glossy foliage takes on a bronze hue in autumn after the first frost transitions the mahonia’s beauty from season to season.
On mild, sunny days in winter, the honey and native bees flock to the mahonia blossoms for much needed but scarce pollen and nectar as little else is blooming in the Zone 6 garden. When the fruits ripen, all manner of fruit-eating birds such as mockers and cedar waxwings come a courting for true-blue nutrition. Whitetail deer, thankfully, keep a safe distance at all times from this shrub given its prickly leaves.
Another useful feature of the mahonia is this plant’s habit of self-mulching. As some of the older foliage yellows and sheds to the immediate surround, these withered leaves serve to protect the root system, prevent weeds from germinating and hold moisture in the soil. Be aware that these leaves are very stiff-pointed so caution is needed when working nearby.
Spare the mahonia from full on afternoon sun angles by siting in a location with afternoon shade that is protected from strong westerly winds. The bush is perfect for use as a home foundation planting as it grows in angular, irregular directions from 4-10 inches tall, unless kept trimmed to a lower, neater profile. The leatherleaf is not native to West Virginia but rather western China. This shrub has the ability to naturalize from seeds from bird droppings so be aware that an extra mahonia may appear elsewhere in your garden for removing to share.
There are no serious insect or disease problems with this ornamental, woody shrub. Propagate a sucker that may appear or from seed collection if the birds allow. Mahonia is most attractive when grouped in part shade woodland areas, as a specimen winter interest shrub or as a barrier hedge because of its spiny leaves (keep in mind the pruning of its prickly leaves).
“Winter Sun” is an improved mahonia hybrid sold in the nursery trade, with a compact form and abundant yellow flowers. This cultivar flowers earlier than the species mahonia plant.
Mahonias are somewhat slow growers so prepare to have patience in the gardenscape. Keep new plants hydrated while established leatherleafs can easily withstand drought conditions. For other eye-catching shrubs for the local landscape, see Cooperative Extension publications, which can be easily found online.
Kristi Hendricks is a graduate of Shepherd College and West Virginia University and a Master Gardener with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at belowthejames@yahoo.com.