Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Mahonia x media 'Arthur Menzies'
Arthur Menzies Oregon Grape
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 4 to 6 feet
- Flower color
- Bright yellow fragrant flowers borne in upright clustered spikes
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green pinnate leaves with sharply toothed holly like leaflets
- Bloom time
- Late fall to winter, often November to January
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Average well drained soil, moderately drought tolerant once established
- Maintenance
- Low; prune lightly after flowering to shape plants and remove older stems if needed
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees, butterflies and birds that feed on the blue purple berries
About this plant
Mahonia x media 'Arthur Menzies' produces clusters of bright yellow flowers from late fall through winter, the small blooms arranged in upright sprays that bring welcome color during the cooler months. The blossoms are followed by blue-black berries with a soft bloom that appear later in the season. Bold, pinnate leaves line the stems, each composed of several glossy, spiny-edged leaflets that form an architectural evergreen canopy throughout the year.
This hybrid traces its heritage to crosses between Mahonia japonica and Mahonia lomariifolia, both native to eastern Asia. In gardens it provides evergreen structure in borders and shaded plantings where the winter flowers offer nectar for pollinators and seasonal interest.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Borders · Bird Gardens · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Skimmia · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Pieris · Trillium · Foamflower
Design tip
Use ‘Arthur Menzies’ toward the back of a shaded border, where its tall, architectural foliage can provide a strong evergreen framework for smaller plants. Position it where the upright yellow flower clusters will be visible in winter, when surrounding plantings offer less color.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
