Mahonia gracillipes
Slender barberry, Graceful barberry
Also known as Mahonia gracilipes
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 2.5m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A pleasing shrub that doesn't grow large, but develops into a suckering foliage clump. It often draws attention to itself by virtue of its long "whiskers" that trail from the stem tops. These are coloured in cream and red shades and are the remains of the flowering racemes. They may carry pretty blue-grey berries that look as though they have been threaded onto coloured string. The fruits seldom occur when grown in the UK unless the plant is very comfortable in its environment. The dome-shaped sprays of tiny flowers occur in late summer and autumn and are held above the foliage. The leaves are elegant, dark blue-green with pale yellow veining and small spines. They hang in pairs from long pendulous branches and are white on their underside. This likes moist and shady spots and needs a warm position. It is not hardy throughout the country. The plant was introduced from Sichuan, China by the great plantsman Roy Lancaster.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Blue
- Fruit colour
- Blue, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 2.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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