How to Grow Mahonia Bealei - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Mahonia bealei is a flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to central and western China. Growing to 3 m (10 ft) tall and wide, it is an evergreen shrub with pinnate leaves 20–50 cm (8–20 in) long, each with 9–19 ovate-lanceolate leaflets 3–7 cm (1 1?4–2 3?4 in) long and 1.5–4 cm (5?8–1 1?2 in) broad. The flowers are produced in racemes 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long, each flower 10–15 mm (3?8–5?8 in) diameter, with six petals; they are followed by dark blue berries 5–9 mm (3?16–3?8 in) diameter.

How to Grow Mahonia Bealei - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Oregon grape
  • Mountain grape
  • Tall Oregon grape
  • Cascade Oregon grape
  • Purple-flowered Oregon grape

Things to Know

  • Mahonia bealei is a species of flowering plant in the barberry family, Berberidaceae.
  • It is native to China, where it is found in the provinces of Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan.
  • It is also found in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  • It is a shrub growing to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) tall.
  • The leaves are pinnate, with 5-9 leaflets, each leaflet 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long and 3-7 cm (1-3 in) broad.
  • The flowers are yellow, 5-9 cm (2-4 in) diameter, with 8-12 petals.
  • The fruit is a dark blue berry 5-9 mm diameter.
  • The species is named after the English horticulturist and plant collector George Beale (1826-1902).
  • It is sometimes confused with the closely related Mahonia japonica, which is native to Japan and Korea.
  • It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, and has become naturalized in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.

How to Grow

  1. For mahonia bealei, first step is to grow the plant in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sheltered, shady spot.
  2. Second step is to apply a generous amount of compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring.
  3. Next, water the plant regularly during the growing season.
  4. When the plant is actively growing, apply a balanced fertilizer monthly.
  5. To encourage blooming, cut the plant back hard in late winter.
  6. Deadhead the flowers as they fade to prevent self-seeding.
  7. In late fall, cut the plant back again to tidy it up for winter.
  8. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant in late fall.
  9. If the plant becomes too large or outgrows its space, it can be divided in early spring.
  10. Finally, watch for pests and diseases such as aphids, scale, and powdery mildew.

Related plant:
Mahonia Fortunei

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, Mahonia bealei (Beale's Barberry) prefers a rich, well-drained soil, although it is tolerant of less than ideal conditions. It will even grow in heavy clay or shallow, rocky soils. This tough plant is also drought tolerant once established.

Light requirement

Like the other members of the Mahonia family, the Beale’s mahonia (Mahonia bealei) is an evergreen shrub that is prized for its elegant, tall stature and bright, cheerful flowers. This particular variety is native to central and western China and was named after the English botanist, Richard Beale, who introduced it to Europe in 1854. The Beale’s mahonia is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 6 feet in height and width at maturity. It has long, leathery leaves that are compound with 9-19 leaflets. The leaves are a glossy green color and turn a burgundy hue in the fall and winter. This shrub is also long-lived and can live for up to 50 years with proper care. The Beale’s mahonia is a sun-loving plant and does best in full sun to partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions but prefers well-drained, loamy soil. This shrub is fairly drought tolerant once established. It is also low-maintenance and does not require much pruning or fertilizing.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for Mahonia bealei is one that is cool and moist. This plant does not like it when the temperature gets too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature for this plant is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. The plant grows best in bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate some direct sun if the humidity is high enough. Too much direct sun can cause the leaves to scorch.

The Fertilizer

For the fertilizer, usually the plant does not need much fertilizer. If you do fertilize, use a low nitrogen fertilizer once a month during the growing season. For the root, Mahonia bealei is a taproot plant. The taproot can grow quite large and deep. It is important to plant this plant in an area where the taproot will not be disturbed.

About light

Pruning is an important part of mahonia bealei care. Heavy pruning is best done in early spring, before new growth begins. You can also prune in late fall or winter, when the plant is dormant. Mahonia bealei can be pruned back quite severely and will respond with new growth.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of Mahonia bealei is best done by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long and should be taken from new growth. Cuttings should be made just below a leaf node and the bottom leaves should be removed. The cutting should then be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a potting mix that is moist but well-drained. The pot should be placed in a shady location and the cutting kept moist until roots have formed and new growth appears. Mahonia bealei can also be propagated by seed, but it can be difficult to get the seeds to germinate.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and there is plenty of rainfall. The stages of growth for this plant are fast during these months as the plant flowers and sets seed. However, mahonia bealei growth rate begins to slow down during the fall and winter when the weather becomes cold and there is less rainfall. The plant will enter a dormant state during these months, only growing new leaves and stems when the weather becomes warmer and there is more rainfall.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are leaf spot, aphids, and scale insects. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can be controlled with fungicide. Aphids and scale insects are both sucking insects that can be controlled with insecticide.

List to Know

  • Make sure to plant your mahonia bealei in an area that gets full sun or partial shade.
  • This shrub does best in well-drained, acidic soil.
  • When first planting, water your mahonia bealei regularly until it becomes established.
  • Once established, this shrub is quite drought tolerant.
  • To encourage growth, fertilize your mahonia bealei in early spring.
  • To keep your shrub looking its best, prune it back in late winter or early spring.
  • This plant is generally pest and disease free.
  • Mahonia bealei can be a bit aggressive, so be sure to give it plenty of room to spread.
  • Deer tend to leave this plant alone.
  • This shrub can reach up to 15 feet tall and wide, so make sure you choose a planting spot accordingly.

Similar Plants

  • Mahonia japonica (Japanese Mahonia)
  • Mahonia haematocarpa (Red Mahonia)
  • Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape)
  • Mahonia lomariifolia (Holly-leaved Mahonia)
  • Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia)
  • Mahonia rupestris (Rock Mahonia)
  • Mahonia pinnata (Fern-leaf Mahonia)
  • Mahonia x media (Mahonie)
  • Mahonia eurybracteata (Oregon Grape)
  • Mahonia nevinii (Nevin's Barberry)

Source:
Mahonia bealei | Landscape Plant Propagation Information | Plant ...
Mahonia bealei - University of Florida
Species: Mahonia bealei - Cornell University

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category