Mahonia bealei

Unusual shrub, 1.5-2 (4) m tall, few shoots, stiffly upright, usually without side shoots, slow-growing.

Loose branching, 10-15 cm long, primrose yellow racemes, March to April; pleasant, sweet fragrance, flowers sensitive to late frost.

Glaucous blue, black berries from July on.

Evergreen, thick and leathery, pinnate, 30-40 cm long, thorny, pale blue-green, in clusters like an umbrella at the end of shoots.

Light shade to semi-shade, protect from winter sun to prevent leaves from turning brown and flowers from opening too soon, sensitive to frost, protect from wind.

Fresh to moist; any garden soil.

Zone 7a