Chinese mahonia is an evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to China. It was introduced in 1846 by Robert Fortune from China. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for these plants, "barbaris." The shrub will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and wide at a slow to moderate rate. It has a rounded form as the branches fall over and grow horizontally once they reach 3 to 4 feet long. The shrub is not particular about soil type as long as it is well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established but appreciates some water during drought conditions. Plant in partial to full shade and prune as needed. It is frost hardy to zone 8 and root hardy to zone 7. From fall to winter, the shrub produces short clusters of yellow flowers that attract bees which are sometimes followed by purple-blue berries. The compound leaves are evergreen, spiny and provide a tropical flair. Use this shrub as a hedge, in groups or along pond margins in woodland, shade, pollinator and winter gardens. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind. Chlorosis on high pH soils. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Berberis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Black; Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The green leaf is narrow, about 6 to 8 inches long with usually 7 leaflets. Leaflets are 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Leaves are odd-pinnately compound with leaflets alternately arranged. The margins have 5 to 10 or more spiny protrusions in a holly-like form.
Fall color
Insignificant
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms are yellow and appear on narrow, erect clusters 2 to 3 inches long in fall to winter.
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Fruit color
Blue; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
Blue-purple fruits in summer. Doesn't often set fruits in this country
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern China and Taiwan
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.