Mahonia Japonica

HISTORY of the MAHONIA

Kingdom: Plantae
Division:Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Ranunculales
Family:Berberidaceae
Genus: Mahonia

Mahonia is a genus of about 70 species ofevergreen shrubs in the family Berberidaceae, native to eastern Asia, the Himalayas, North America, and Central America.

They are closely related to the genus Berberis. Botanists disagree on the acceptability of the genus name Mahonia.

Mahonia typically have large, pinnate leaves 10-50 cm long with 5-15 leaflets, and flowers in racemes (5-20 cm long).

The genus name Mahonia honors the Philadelphia horticulturist Bernard McMahon who introduced the plant from materials collected by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Several species are popular garden shrubs, grown for their ornamental evergreen foliage, yellow flowers in winter/early spring, and blue-black berries. The berries are edible, and rich in vitamin C, though with a very sharp flavor.

Mahonia japonica
Common name: Japanese mahonia

This is one of the most popular and ornamental of all evergreen shrubs. It is native to Japan, hence the specific epithet japonica meaning Japanese.

Its branches are stout and upright; its leaves are pinnate, dark green, up to 45cm (18in) long with seven-19 sharply toothed leaflets.

Pale yellow, fragrant flowers are produced in terminal clusters of long, pendulous racemes, up to 25cm (10in) long from late autumn to early spring. These are followed by small, blue-black, ovoid fruit.

The RHS Floral B Committee awarded Mahonia japonica an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Erect medium-sized evergreen shrub with large, spined, leathery pinnate leaves and small, fragrant pale yellow flowers in spreading or drooping sprays. Berries blue-black.

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full or partial shade.
Prune annually, after flowering, in mid-spring, removing dead and damaged growth and those shoots that spoil symmetry.
Mahonia japonica is generally free from pests and diseases.

Mahonia Japonica

Mahonia Japonica

Finally, I have to share a little story with you. I have this beautiful, rich and slender Mahonia shrub in my garden. It is a fine specimen, nourished, and loved - source of my pride and joy.

Vivid yellow flowers reign in my garden every time Mahonia flowers - like tiny brilliant fireworks.
When berry- like fruits replaces flowers, birds are everyday guests in my garden feasting on them. Not only that local birds like fruit form my Mahonia – they are crazy about it.

But there was this curious thing about it. Birds were waiting until fruit was ripe, and then a little longer… And I was wandering why…

I keep thinking that birds somehow knew to wait patiently for the moment when Nature will do its magic and start fermenting process in overripe fruit.
Oh, you should see that dance after big feast! Birds were everywhere, fluttering and flying like silly creatures, bumping on my windows, happily chirping and singing away, calling their chums.

I was amazed! I was entertained. Birds were actually drunk, and acting like drunken people!

I still don’t know is that possible, but one thing is for sure…My garden is a vey strange place every time my Mahonia’s blue-black berries are overripe!