Mahonias

A family of very attractive easy to grow evergreen shrubs that are related to the more popular Barberries. The fruits of some species are edible and tasty, eaten either raw, used in fruit salads or cooked in pies and preserves. The fruits do contain berberine and should not be eaten in excess, especially during pregnancy.
By simmering the berries in water, you can make a real good drink.
For the lushest foliage; they prefer moist, well drained fertile soil and partial sun. Pruning us rarely needed except for the removal of old or stray stems. All Mahonias, even old plants, sprout from old wood and regenerate freely. Fire resiliant; they can resprout from the roots after fire.
Older plants can be moved while dormant but it is best to cut them back in the process.
Propagation is from cuttings ( taken during early winter ) or rooted suckers from the base of the plant and is easy.

Mahonia aquifolium ( Oregon Grape Mahonia )
A medium-sized, evergreen shrub, reaching around 6 feet, that is native to western North America ( from Vancouver Island to Prince George, B.C. to Banff National Park, Alberta to western Montana; south to the mountains of southern California to central Idaho ). It has escaped into the wild locally in Michigan, Ontario and Quebec. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet; 3rd year - 3 feet, largest on record - 15 x 13 feet with stem thicknesses up to 6 inches.
The leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are composed of 5 to 13 leaflets that are up to 6 x 2 ( rarely over 3.5 ) inches in size. Foliage is often red-bronze at first when unfolding during spring, turning to glossy yellow-green before maturing to its glossy deep green summer color. The foliage is rust resistant.
The yellow flowers are born in clusters, up to 4.5 inches long, during late winter. They are followed by glaucous-blue to purple-black fruit, up to 0.5 inch long, that are edible and can be used in jellies.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( protected sites north of 5 ) thriving best in partial shade on moist, acid, rich, well drained soil on sheltered sites. It is very heat tolerant. Though pruning is not usually necessary, all Mahonias sprout from old wood and even old plants can regenerate freely. Can be cut back in March to encourage bushiness. Mahonia aquifolium grows best in climates with 38 inches or more rainfall per year though it can tolerate temporary drought. Its roots are even known to survive fire and the plant regrow after. Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in summer or fresh seed sown in autumn.



* photos taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photo taken on April 6 2010 in Clarksville, MD







* photo taken on Apr 4 2013 in Baltimore County, MD

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photo taken on May 1 2013 in Baltimore Co., MD

* photos taken on Apr 15 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* photos taken by http://www.nwplants.com

* photo taken on Apr 27 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 21 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 2 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 5 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 14 2024 @ Coventry Gardens, Windsor, ON

* historic archive photo

'Atropurpureum'
In full sun the foliage turns glossy purplish-black during winter, in shade it often remains glossy deep green.

'Compactum'
A handsome dense, dwarf form to 4 x 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet in size.
The smaller leaves are closely spaced along the stems.

* photos taken on Jul 19 2017 @ Rideau Hall, Ottawa, ON

* photos taken on May 28 2018 in Elkridge, MD

'Golden Abundance'
Fast growing and dense in habit, reaching up to 8 x 6 feet. Some records include: 4 years - 8 x 4 feet.
The very large, bold foliage is coppery-red at first, turning to glossy green.
The abundant bright golden yellow flowers in spring and fall are borne in large clusters.
A heavy crop of attractive purple-blue berries follows the flowers. The berries are edible and can be used for jellies.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

'Piperiana'
A wild variety from southern Oregon with up to 9 wider, extremely glossy leaflets up to 4 x 2 inches in size that are even glossier below.

Mahonia bealei
A fast growing, coarse-textured, very upright, medium to large, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 12 feet, that is native to western China. Some records include: 5 years - 6.5 x 6.5 feet; largest on record - 15 x 10 feet ( small tree of 27 feet reported in Flora of China ).
The pinnate leaves, up to 20 inches in length, are composed of 9 to 15 spiny leaflets, up to 6 x 6 inches in size. The blue-green foliage maintains its color all winter. The foliage is resistant to rust.
The fragrant yellow flowers are borne on clusters up to 9 inches long, during late winter.
They are followed by small 0.5 inch blue fruit.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( can be killed to ground at -17 F ) in partial shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Though pruning is not usually necessary, all Mahonias sprout from old wood and even old plants can regenerate freely.

* photo taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photos taken in Columbia, MD on Jan 2010





* photo taken in March 17 2010 in Columbia, MD



* photos taken on April 5 2010 in Columbia, MD



* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD




* photo taken on Oct 25 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photo taken on July 9 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 1 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 21 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 11 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 12 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 23 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on May 30 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Dec 29 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 3 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 18 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 23 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 24 2020 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Nov 13 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Mar 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Mar 11 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Feb 15 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

Mahonia 'Beijing Beauty'
A hybrid originating with plant hybridizer Mr. Yamaguchi of Japan. It is similar to M. fortunei in appearance but has superior hardiness and a compact habit. It forms a moderate growing, dense, upright shrub, reaching up to 5 x 4 feet in 10 years, eventually to 10 x 6 feet.
The spiny, pinnate foliage is glossy mid-green. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 4 x 0.6 inches in size.
The yellow flowers are borne on racemes, up to 6 inches in length, during late summer into mid-autum.
They are followed by bluish-black berries.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in partial shade.

* photos taken on Apr 28 2019 in Burtonsville, MD

Mahonia confusa
A moderate growing, small shrub, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 4 feet. Some records include: 5 years - 3.3 x 3.3 feet.
The very attractive pinnate leaves are composed of glossy, blue-green, narrow leaflets.
Flowers in late fall are yellow.
Hardy north to zone 7b

* photo taken on Mar 19 2019 in Burtonsville, MD

'Narihira'
May be slightly hardier ( to zone 7a ).

* photo taken on Apr 20 2020 in Burtonsville, MD

Mahonia eurybracteata ( Narrowleaf Mahonia )
A moderate growing, small to medium-sized, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 13 x 5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to central and southern China. Some records include: 5 years - 2.4 feet.
The pinnate leaves are up to 18 inches in length, and are composed of 13 to 19 narrow leaflets, up to 5 x 0.3 inches in size. The foliage is deep green above, yellowish-green beneath.
The bright yellow flowers are borne on racemes, up to 4 inches in length, during early spring. They are followed by grayish-blue berries borne on large clusters.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in partial shade

'Cistus Silver'
Intensely silvery foliage.

'Soft Caress'
A very fine-textured foliaged form, which forms a fast growing yet small shrub, reaching up to 3.3 x 2.8 feet in 3 years, eventually to 4 x 4 feet in size.

* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Oct 30 2014 in Olney, MD

* photo taken on Sep 22 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 4 2016 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on Oct 15 2023 in Howard Co., MD

* patent photo

Mahonia fortunei ( Chinese Mahonia )
A dense, compact moderate growing fine textured shrub native to central China that can reach up to 5 feet or rarely 13 x 10 feet in zone 8+; less in cooler climates. It is much less coarse than Mahonia bealei.
The pinnate leaves are up to 11 inches long and are composed of up to 13 leaflets that are up to 5.5 x 1 inches in size. The leaflets are toothed instead of spiny with 10 teeth on each side. The very attractive, fine-textured foliage is bronze when young turning to deep green above & pale beneath.
The bright yellow autumn flowers are borne in short racemes up to 3 inches in length during autumn.
Prefers hot summers and is hardy from zones 6 to 10. Foliage falls off at 5 F or below and in zone 6 can be killed to ground level where resprouting may not be very vigorous. Less cold hardy than other Mahonias; it really does make an excellent plant in the Deep South.

'Confusa'
Reaching up to 4.5 feet or more in height; this cultivar has leaves with up to 20 leaflets that are sea green above & silver below. Hardy north to zone 7.

'Winter Prince'
Reaches up to 5 feet. The fernlike foliage is red at first, turning to deep green.

Mahonia fremontii ( Desert Mahonia )
Native to southwestern U.S. from Colorado and south and surrounding parts of Mexico. This is an open branching shrub to 8 feet or rarely 15 x 12 feet.
The 4 inch leaves are composed of 5 to 11 spiny toothed leaflets up to 2.5 x 1 inches in size. The best forms are strongly glaucous blue though it can also be pale green.
The yellow flowers are in clusters during summer.
They are followed by fruits that can be dark yellow to red.
Requiring climates with 12 inches of rainfall per year or more, this Mahonia is drought tolerant and hardy from zones 5 to 11.

* historic archive photo

Mahonia gracilipes ( Red Flowered Mahonia )
An evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 6 feet, that is native to China.
Large bold leaves that are deep green above and striking white beneath.
The leaves, up to 2 feet in length, are composed of leaflets up to 6 x 3 inches in size.
The red and yellow flowers are borne on tall racemes.
They are followed by blue berries during late autumn.
Hardy zones 7a to 8 in partial shade on moist, humus-rich, well drained soil.
It is very limestone tolerant.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

* photo taken on July 3 2024 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash DC

Mahonia gracilis ( Slender Mahonia )
A rounded, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 10.5 x 7 feet in size.
The attractive foliage is glossy bright lime-green, later deepening to mid blue-green during summer then to reds and oranges during winter. This Mahonia is not thorny or spiny.
The very fragrant flowers are yellow to orange-red.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 tolerating as low as 0 F, thriving in the southeastern U.S.. Also tolerant of heavy clay if site is well drained. It is extremely heat and drought tolerant ( even in Texas ).

Mahonia haematocarpa ( Redberry Mahonia )
A moderate growing, medium-sized, evergreen shrub, native to southern California and Utah to central Colorado and western Texas; south to Sonora, Mexico. Some records include: largest on record being 13 x 12 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. Far outside its native range; it is recorded to reach 7 feet in North Carolina. It makes a great screen plant for dry climates and its spiny foliage also makes for a good barrier plant.
The leaves, up to 5 inches long, are composed of 3 to 7 spine-toothed, lance-shaped leaflets that be up to 2.7 x 0.4 inches in size. The foliage is blue-gray.
The fragrant, yellow flowers are borne in small clusters, up to 2 inches in length, during late spring.
They are followed by showy, abundant, dark red berries during late summerlasting well into autumn. The berries are great for making wine and jellies.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

Mahonia japonica ( Japanese Mahonia )
Native to Japan however commonly grown in China, dense, upright and vigorous; it can reaches up to 10 x 13 feet Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet; 4 years - 3.3 feet; 6 years - 4 feet; largest on record - 33 ( rarely over 17 x 13 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 10 inches. It makes an excellent architectural plant in the landscape.
The pinnate leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are composed of up to 19 spiny leathery leaflets that are up to 7 x 1.5 inches in size. The glossy dark green foliage colors best in partial shade. In cold climates, the foliage often turns to red and yellow during the winter.
The fragrant, bright yellow flowers are borne in upright or arching racemes up to 10 inches in length, duirng late winter.
They are followed by grape-like bunches of small 0.5 inch blue-black berries.
Very shade tolerant and hardy from zone 5 to 8. Propagation by seed in autumn or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

* historic archive photo

'Hiemalis'
foliage up to 20 inches in length and very fragrant flowers in clusters up to 14 inches in length

Mahonia lomarifolia ( Burmese Mahonia )
Native to western China & Burma; this Mahonia grows at a moderate rate to 15 feet or more with the largest on record being 40 x 20 feet. In habit; it is a clump of upright "canes" topped with long spiny somewhat pendulous leaves up to 40 inches in length.
The leaves are composed of 20 to 40 spiny leaflets up to 4 inches in length. The foliage is red-bronze at first later turning to glossy deep green. Each leaflet has 5 spines.
The fragrant yellow flowers are borne in upright 10 inch spikes crowded at the ends of the stems. They open in fall however continue on and off until spring.
They are followed by blue-purple berries.
Hardy zones 7 to 10

Mahonia mairei
Similar to Mahonia lomarifolia, except with even larger leaves that are the largest of any Mahonia. It generally reaches around 12 x 5 feet and is native to Yunnan Province in China. The very large pinnate foliage is red-bronze at first, turning to glossy gray-green.
The flowers are orange.
Hardy zones 8 and 9.

Mahonia x media
A family of vigorous hybrid Mahonias that result from mixing the hardiness of M. japonica and the lush foliage of M. lomarifolia. Moderate to vigorous, growing up to 2 feet per year; they can reach up to 10 feet or more with the largest on record being 17 x 17 feet.
The pinnate leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are composed of up to 21 leaflets up to 4.5 x 1.5 inches in size. The very attractive foliage is glossy dark green sometimes turning reddish in winter.
The yellow flowers are in long erect racemes up to 12 inches in length from late autumn to early spring.
Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

'Arthur Menzies'
Vigorous, strong and upright in habit, it can reach a maximum height of 20 feet. Some records include: 6 years - 9 feet.
The very beautiful blue-green leaves, up to 24 inches in length, are composed of up to 19 leaflets.
It bears huge, showy clusters of bright yellow flower racemes up to 12 x 14 inches in size.

'Buckland'
Dense, vigorous and upright up to 8 feet tall or more ( rarely to 17 x 17 feet ) with fragrant bright yellow flowers in huge arching racemes up to 26 x 24 inches.

'Charity'
Dense, vigorous and upright growing large up to 17 x 12 feet with huge foliage up to 18 x 12 inches in its entirity. The foliage often turns to intense scarlet-red during winter.

* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

'Winter Sun'
Reaching a maximum size of 16 x 10 ( rarely over 10 ) feet; this Mahonia hybrid has racemes held horizontally and they begin to open in autumn.

* photos taken in Columbia, MD on March 17 2010








* photo taken on May 1 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 8 2011 in Columbia, MD




* photos taken on dec 18 2011 in Columbia, MD






* photo taken on Apr 20 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 30 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 16 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 15 2023 in Columbia, MD

Mahonia napaulensis ( Acanthus Mahonia )
A very handsome erect shrub or small tree can reach up to 15 feet or rarely 25 x 10 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches. It is native to Assam & Sikkim in northeast India as well as Nepal. This Mahonia is very similar to M. lomarifolia.
The leaves, up to 30 ( rarely over 18 ) inches in length, are composed of 13 to 25 toothed narrow leaflets up to 5 x 1.6 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green.
The scented light yellow flowers are borne in racemes up to 12 inches long during late winter.
The bark is corky.
Hardy zones 8 to 11

'Mahaeajah'
hardy north to zone 6

Mahonia nervosa ( Cascades Mahonia )
A very striking, vigorous, suckering shrub native to northwestern North America ( from Vancouver Island to Kamloops, British Columbia to near Revelstoke, B.C. to northern Idaho; south to central California ) that can reach 1.5 to 3 feet tall and wide with the largest on record being 7 x 17 feet. This Mahonia spreads by underground runners. It is useful as groundcover in open woods.
The leaves, up to 30 inches long, are composed of 11 to 23 leathery, toothed leaflets up to 3.5 x 2 inches in size. They are glossy gray green above, blue beneath; turning deep red during fall and winter. The foliage is rust resistant.
The, fragrant, bright yellow flowers are borne in crowded, erect racemes, up to 8 inches in length, during late winter.
They are followed by edible, blue-black berries up to 0.33 inches in size.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 in full to partial shade, preferring the woodland garden.
Very drought tolerant once established. It is also tolerant of deep shade, salt spray and tree root competition. Older plants that are over grown or are loosing their vigor, can be cut to ground during early spring.

* photos taken by http://www.nwplants.com

* historic archive photo

var mendocinoensis
Very rare and larger growing, reaching a maximum height of 14 feet, and is native to redwood forests of northern California and southwest Oregon.

Mahonia nevinii ( Nevin's Mahonia )
Endangered and native to southern California; this species forms a dense shrub up to 14 x 12 feet. It makes a great screen.
The evergreen leaves are composed of 3 to 7 narrow pointed leaflets up to 2 x 0.4 inches that are 6 spine tip toothed on each side. They are grayish to blue-green above and white below.
The open racemes up to 2 inches of yellow flowers are borne in spring and are followed by dark red berries.
Requires climates with 12 inches of rainfall per year or more. Hardy zones 5 to 10 tolerating as low as -30 F No frost damage in containers at -2 F

* historic archive photo

Mahonia pinnata ( California Holly Grape )
A southwest native ( from southwest Oregon to the Baja Peninsula ) that is similar to Mahonia aquifolium but more stiff and upright in habit with finer toothed foliage. It is moderate growing and suckering to 13 x 8 feet and can even reach 23 feet when it occasionally becomes vine like in habit.
The pinnate leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are composed of 7 to 13 leaflets up to 3 inches in length with 13 spines on each side. The foliage is intense orange or red at first, turning to matt medium green during summer. The foliage then turns to red above & purplish beneath during winter.
The showy bright yellow flowers are borne on clusters during late winter.
They are followed by blue-black berries.
Requiring climates with 16 inches of rainfall per year or more; it is hardy zones 5 to 9 and tolerant of both heat and drought. Older plants can be cut back severely to renovate. It prefers partial to full shade on moist, acidic, well drained soil.

'Ken Hartman'
Upright in habit, reaching about the same size as the species.
The foliage is bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green.

'Ken S. Howard'
Vigorous, dense and upright in habit, with very handsome deep green foliage.
Otherwise similar.

Mahonia pumila
Native to the western U.S. from Oregon to California; this is a suckering shrub that only reaches up to 20 inches tall but can spread up to 3.5 feet or more.
The leaves are made of 5 to 9 spiny leaflets up to 6 inches long and are light purple-red in spring turning to gray-green. The foliage is rust resistant.
The spring flowers are yellow and are borne in small racemes.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Mahonia repens ( Creeping Mahonia )
This Mahonia forms a moderate growing, rhizomatous, long-lived shrub, up to 2 x 6 + feet, and suckers freely to form a large clump. It is native from central British Columbia to Crow's Nest Pass, Alberta to the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan to southwest North Dakota and central Minnesota; south to nw California to south-central New Mexico. It is critically endangered in Saskatchewan with its remaining range resticted to a single ravine; endangered in British Columbia, California and North Dakota. Some records include: 5 years - 1.5 x 6 feet. It makes a great groundcover under trees. It is usually found in coniferous woods in the wild.
The pinnate leaves, up to 10 inches in length, are composed of 5 to 7 very spiny leaflets up to 4 x 2.5 inches in size. The blue-green foliage turns purplish during winter. They undersides of the leaflets have small protuberances. The foliage is rust resistant.
The fragrant, deep yellow flowers are borne in racemes up to 4 inches in length, during mid to late spring.
They are followed by edible, deep blue 0.25 inch berries.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 ( most likely 3a for eastern Montana seed source ) in partial to full shade on well drained soil. Creeping Mahonia is a great choice for dry shade. It is considered to be an excellent groundcover choice in England, and also thrives in eastern North America though not native there. Drought resistant and rarely bothered by deer. Deep snow protects foliage from winter burn, mulch roots during winter in very cold climates. Older plants can be cut back hard to renovate.

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.


* photos taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore, PA

* photo taken by http://www.nwplants.com

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

'Dark Star'
Reaches up to 1.5 x 4+ feet with purplish-black foliage. It is otherwise identical to the species.

'Denver Strain'
attractive dark green foliage

'Rotundifolia'
round entire leaflets. A taller plant with the largest on record reaching 5 x 7 feet

Mahonia 'Skylands'
The hybrid between Mahonia aquifolium & Mahonia pinnata.
Glossy deep green foliage.

Mahonia swaseyi ( Texas Barberry )
A medium-sized, evergreen shrub, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to limestone ridges on the Edwards Plateau in Texas. It is endangered in the wild however makes a very attractive, easy to grow landscape plant for the south-central U.S.
The pinnate leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are composed of 5 to 9 Holly-spaped, spiny leaflets. The foliage is bright green during summer, turning to red and purple during autumn and winter.
The fragrant, golden-yellow flowers are borne during early spring.
They are followed by showy, orange-red berries, up to 0.6 inches long. The berries are larger than the related Mahonia haematocarpa.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( should be tested in 6 ) in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. It is very tolerant of heat and drought.

Mahonia trifolia
Native to southeast Arizona to New Mexico and Texas; south into Mexico; this is among the largest of the Mahonias. Typically a slow growing, large shrub; the largest on record is 26 x 15 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 inches.
The evergreen leaves are composed of 3 to 7 leaflets up to 2 x 1 inches in size. The attractive leathery foliage is gray-green turning to purplish-red in winter.
The fragrant, yellow flowers are borne during early spring. The bright red berries are sweet and edible.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun on well drained soil. Heat and very drought tolerant, even in Texas.

* photo taken by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Mahonia x wagneri
A group of very vigorous hybrids between M. aquifolium & M. pinnata. They can reach up to 12 x 6 feet in size with spiny foliage that is blue-green to deep green.
The yellow flowers are borne in late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 10

'Aldenhamensis'
Upright in habit, reaching up to 5 feet in height.
Foliage is bronze when young turning ot blue-green
Flowers are bright yellow.

'Fireflame'
Reaches up to 4 feet in height.
Foliage is blue green above & gray below and turn red in winter.

'King's Random'
Upright in habit, reaching up to 6 x 8 feet.
The foliage is glaucous blue tinted purple. Berries are dark blue-black.

'Moseri'
Reaches up to 5 x 4 feet with foliage that is purple at first turning to dark green.
The showy fruit is blue-black.

'Undulata'
to 6 x 6 ( rarely over 5 ) feet.
The glossy wavy edged leaves are bronze at first turning to deep green in summer then to red-purple in winter.
A heavy bloomer with masses of bright yellow flowers.