Aside from being one of our favorite plants for providing texture in shady areas of the landscape, mahonia offer other interesting charcteristics throughout the year. Long spikes of yellow flowers begin blooming in January. They arise from the top of the plant and are held at a perfect height for viewing up close and enjoying their delicious fragrance. Pendulous masses of bluish-purple fruits about the size of small grapes follow the flowers. The fruits are a food source for wildlife. In fall the plants take on a reddish color, and occasionally a solid red leaf will appear. Tough, leathery, leaves are borne in horizontal tiers up each unbranched stalk.

Mahonias prefer being planted in shady locations where they won't receive too much afternoon sun. We group them in masses or use them as a backdrop for low shrubs. They are equally suited for use as specimen plants.