Mahonia gracilipes
Berberidaceae



ORIGIN: China       

USDA PLANT HARDINESS ZONE: 7?-9?   

SOIL: Moist, Well Drained.

EXPOSURE: Filtered Light to Part Shade

GENERAL HABIT: Slow growing, evergreen shrub. Plant
grows to 3-5ft. high x 2-3ft. wide.

FOLIAGE: Rigid, deep green foliage with wide serrated
edges. Undersides of foliage is a striking, chalky white.
Cold weather and stress bring out warms tones in the
foliage.

FLOWER & FRUIT: Bright red flowers with yellow
centers are produced on 15" sprays produced in late
summer-fall followed by chalky blue fruit,

COMMENTS:
Introduced by plantsman Roy Lancaster in the early 1980's,
this rare Mahonia was thought to be marginally hardy, but
has thrived in protected woodlands here in the Pacific
Northwest.
A lovely specimen of
Mahonia gracilipes growing in the
garden of Marian Raitz in Bellevue,
WA.
Overwintering potted Mahonia gracilipes at the
former Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, WA.
Leaf underside (notice the scratch marks made)