Charity Mahonia

The Charity Mahonia is one of the most acclaimed shrubs for shade gardening, with a bold architectural form, growing 12 to 15 feet tall in time, It develops as a clump of many thick, upright stems, topped with big heads of glossy green leaves in a whorl, made up of many spiny leaflets. In November and December the stems are topped with 18-inch long sun-burst clusters of golden-yellow flowers that may be followed by hanging clusters of blue berries that develop over the following summer. Use this plant in all the shady parts of your garden, on the north side of your home, or out in woodland areas with other shade-loving shrubs.

• Wonderful architectural evergreen shrub
• Big whorls of divided leaves top strong stems
• Large sprays of golden-yellow flowers in early winter
• Can produce clusters of blue berries in summer and fall
• Perfect plant for shady garden beds and woodland

Partial sun is best for the Charity Mahonia, with some afternoon shade, or day-long dappled shade. It grows well in most soils, preferring richer, moist ones, but not flooded soil. Established plants are remarkably drought resistant, and the flower buds even take some frost. It has no pests or diseases and it’s avoided by deer. You can cut out some of the tallest stems after blooming to keep it more compact, if you wish. No other care is needed.