Plant of the Month

December’s Plant of the Month

LATIN NAME: Berberis x media ‘Charity’ (Syn. Mahonia)

COMMON NAME: Hybrid Oregon Grape

FAMILY: Berberidaceae

TYPE: Evergreen Shrub

LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Residence

ORIGIN: N. Ireland Nursery

GARDEN USES: Focal point, hedge, foundation plant

FUN FACT: Berberis × media ‘Charity’, often known by its former genus name Mahonia, is a standout hybrid Oregon grape discovered in 1951 among seedlings of Mahonia oiwakensis subsp. lomariifolia at a nursery in Northern Ireland. It earned the name ‘Charity’ after its first bloom at Savill Gardens in England and has been a cherished winter-interest shrub ever since.

Its lightly scented yellow flower clusters shine through the cold months, providing nectar for hummingbirds and bees when few other plants are in bloom. Once the blossoms turn to fruit, birds quickly take notice, making this plant a welcome winter wildlife resource. As temperatures drop, the dramatic, frond-like foliage may blush with tones of reddish purple, adding even more seasonal color and texture to the garden.

–Content by Gardens North Manager Sean Peterson