1 named cultivar

‘Winter Sun’Oregon Grape

shrub

Hybrid Mahonia

The Story

Plant Bio

Berberis hortensis is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub of the tall Mahonia group, three to thirteen feet high. Long compound leaves of eleven to seventeen leaflet pairs give a bold architectural texture, spikes of bell-shaped yellow flowers open in late winter, and clusters of blue-black grape-like fruit follow.

Its value is the flowering season — bright yellow spikes in the depths of winter, when almost nothing else is out and early bees have nothing to work. The blue-black fruit is edible in moderation but causes stomach upset in quantity, so it is better left for birds. The leaflets end in sharp spines, so site it away from paths.

Uses & Benefits:

Bold architectural evergreen foliage with bright yellow winter flower spikes and blue-black fruit.

Evergreen structure in shade, and the spined leaflets make it a useful deterrent barrier.

Feeds bees at a time of year when almost nothing else flowers, and birds strip the fruit.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

96 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eurasian hybrid group

Toxicity

Fruit causes stomach upset in quantity

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in partial shade in moist, freely drained soil.
Site it away from paths; the leaflets are spined.
Shelter it from cold drying winter wind.
Water through the first two summers.
Prune only lightly, after flowering.
Leave the fruit for birds rather than eating it.

Pro Tip

It flowers in midwinter, so put it where you actually walk in January rather than in a summer border you never visit then.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in partial shade 🌤️
Site it clear of paths ⚠️
Prune lightly after flowering ✂️
Leave the berries for birds 🐦

Don't

Plant it beside a walkway ❌
Eat the fruit in quantity ❌
Expose it to cold drying wind ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Winter-flowering shrub in a shaded borderArchitectural evergreen structureBird and wildlife planting

Companion Plants

Hellebore Sweet Box Autumn Fern Snowdrop Camellia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hybrid Mahonia questions

What zones can Hybrid Mahonia grow in?

Hybrid Mahonia is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Hybrid Mahonia deer resistant?

Yes — Hybrid Mahonia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Hybrid Mahonia bloom?

Hybrid Mahonia typically blooms in late winter through early spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Hybrid Mahonia need full sun?

Hybrid Mahonia does best in part shade.

Is Hybrid Mahonia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Hybrid Mahonia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.