Attractive Texas Landscape Shade Shrub – Leatherleaf Mahonia

Energy conscious Texans plant shade trees to block the hot summer sun and decrease the cost of air conditioning. The downside of beautiful shade trees is the retreat of turf grass from shady areas. On the other hand, shady areas can motivate a homeowner to investigate landscaping alternatives to grass.

Evergreen Leatherleaf Mahonia Grows in Texas Shade with Flowers and Blue Berries

A medium-sized evergreen that resembles a holly, leatherleaf mahonia grows 4 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. It accepts the clay soil of North Texas and grows well in sand or sandy loam in Central and East Texas as long as it has good drainage. The mature plant makes a striking visual accent that can be grouped effectively with other shade-tolerant shrubs and groundcovers.

Leatherleaf mahonia shrubs have spiny, compound green leaflets on vertical stalks. Yellow flowers come in early spring or late winter followed by beautiful grayish-blue berries that birds love. Mahonia bealei is in the Berberidaceae family and genus Mahonia, which includes 70 plant varieties. Closely related to native Texas barberries, the leatherleaf tolerates alkaline soils and once established is low maintenance.

Leatherleaf mahonias have few pest issues and usually do not require extensive fertilization or care. They do want moist well-drained soil and survive in hardiness zones 6 through 9, which cover all of Texas. Because their seeds are eaten by birds, the plants can become invasive as seeds are spread. Clipping the startups in landscape beds or mowing them in the lawn provides control their spread.

Planting and Care of Leatherleaf Mahonia

Select a site that drains well and preferably gets two to three hours of direct or filtered morning sunlight. The sun helps flowering although it is not essential to plant survival and growth. Fall is the best time to plant leatherleaf mahonias; however, they can be planted successfully in winter or early spring.

Prepare the bed by gently tilling and adding compost to the area. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the container plant. Remove the plant from the container and place in the center of the hole. Be careful sharp spikes similar to hollies on the leaves. Fill the hole with the removed soil and pack firmly around the roots. Water the area thoroughly.

Establish the plant during its first year with regular watering and a balanced fertilizer in the spring. If a soil test found excess phosphorous in the soil – a common North Texas finding – choose a slow release, all-nitrogen fertilizer. Pruning the leatherleaf mahonia is optional.

Leatherleaf mahonia provides visual interest all year and becomes a particularly pleasing addition to oriental or Japanese style landscapes.