Mahonia Winter Sun Advice

Alfie_ · June 2023

Hi,

I have a heavily shaded spot and would like to add some structure to the border. I have a free spot with a spread space currently of 1m and height is not an issue as it has a tall fence and then a beech after that. Most websites say a 3-4m spread so I wanted advice on anyone that has one if it would be fairly easy to prune it in order to maintain a spread of 1m?

Fairygirl · June 2023

Yes - you can prune them, although it's a bit of a jaggy process!
I have one in a similar sized space, although it isn't quite as shady now because I've removed the hedging there that was behind it on the sunnier side.
The only thing you may need to look at is the amount of moisture available if there's a beech tree nearby.

Pete.8 · June 2023

I have one that I don't really want so I don't let it get to more than about 4ft.
Every few years I cut it back to about 6" then let it get to about 4ft, then repeat.
So they don't seem to mind being hacked about,
The bright flowers in winter and Spring are welcome though.

Obelixx · June 2023

I have one in partial shade planted under a whole row of hawthorn and other trees on the neighbour's side of the fence. I planted it one autumn and watered it for the first 3 summers and it is doing well tho growing slowly compared to one I had in my cooler and damper Belgian garden.

It is bone dry at the mo but is fine and the winter flowers are just fab on any day, bright or dull, and provide food for solitary bees. The berries are discreet in colour but a lovely deep blue if you get to see them before the birds scoff them.

GardenerSuze · June 2023

The best time to cut them back is April as @Fairygirl mentiions not a nice job. Last time I mine back my neighbour kindly let me add it to her skip. Horrible job to cut up.

clematisdorset · October 2023

I have the same plant and want to prune it to stimulate new growth. I realise it is a funny time to be asking, but might it be worth pruning a small plant (bought within the last 12 months as a 2 litre potted plant). The snails got it (unbelievably) and have chewed away several stems and leaves.

Fairygirl · October 2023

No - I wouldn't prune that. Like any shrub, they take a while to establish before they start growing. A year is around the average for that to happen.
They like decent soil and enough moisture to do that though, and then they'll cope with most conditions.
I'm surprised it's being eaten by snails though. I've never had them eating mahonia to any extent, and we have no shortage of slugs/snails here.

clematisdorset · October 2023

Thanks @Fairygirl for your help. I will wait for it to grow some more. I think it was snails (I saw the trails and snails by the base of the plant). I probably should have kept more of an eye of it.

Fairygirl · October 2023

They're pretty indestructible. I never really look at mine, and never have. They just do their thing. I only prune when they're getting a bit big for a space, or when there's some dead foliage - often caused by general autumn/winter weather and wind.
They're very good at filtering wind, so are ideal for boundaries.

Mahonia Winter Sun Advice

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