Marvel Mahonia

Marvel Mahonia from the Southern Living Plant Collection provides a solution for anyone with a shaded spot where they wish they could plant an evergreen. The Marvel’s deep green leaves grow in a frond-like style and trail off of thick, coarsely branched stems.

Among the earliest bloomers of the season, Mahonia bursts to life with a spectacular display of bright yellow flowers, releasing a fragrance that is just as captivating as their appearance. As the blooms fade, they give way to clusters of deep blue-black, waxy berries that resemble grapes which birds absolutely love.

Once fully mature the Marvel Mahonia with reach a modest 6' in width and height providing you with a modest addition and focal point in your landscape of garden. The Marvel Mahonia is the ideal plant for accents, but also pairs well with other shade lovers in pots and planters. 

How Do You Care For A Mahonia Plant?

The Marvel Mahonia is a low maintenance plant that doesn't require extensive care to keep looking great in your garden. Provide well-drained soil and filtered light during the hottest part of the day. During the initial planting be sure to add rich organic matter to the soil to boost nutrient levels.

Once the plant is in the ground, mulch its base and water regularly the first year to establish healthy growth.

Mahonia benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and remove older, woody canes. This hardy Mahonia shrub is naturally resistant to both pests and deer, making it a low-maintenance addition to the landscape. 

Recommended Companion Plants for the Marvel Mahonia

• Try this variety with some other shade-friendly plants, like the Everillo Carex and Florida Sunshine Anise. Both of these varieties have bright golden foliage that really brightens up shady spots. The Mountain Snow Pieris also handles shade well and features some gorgeous white bell-shaped blossoms in early spring.
• For partial shade plantings, consider planting it with some Hydrangeas, such as the Big Daddy Hydrangea or Bloomstruck Hydrangea. Their wide leaves and large rounded blooms contrast beautifully this Mahonia's feathery foliage.

Still looking for inspiration? Check out these Shade Garden Ideas.

"Why isn't my Mahonia flowering?"

Mahonia can bloom from late fall to late winter, depending on the weather you're having and where it's planted. So our first suggestion would be to consider that it hasn't gotten around to it yet, or it may have bloomed already if you recently bought the plant.

However, if fall and winter came and went without any flowers, there's likely something else at play. Dehydration is a common cause for a lack of flowers. Ensure that your plant is staying properly hydrated throughout the year. They need water to produce flowers and will often drop their flower buds if they are dehydrated for too long.

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