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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Mahonia x media 'Arthur Menzies'

Arthur Menzies Oregon Grape

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.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Average well drained soil, moderately drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Late fall to winter, often November to January

Find this plant

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.