Mahonia bealei

Beale's Grape Holly

Mahonia bealei is an evergreen shrub, commonly called leatherleaf mahonia or Beale’s barberry, valued for its bold, blue-green, leathery compound foliage, upright clusters of fragrant pale yellow flowers in late winter to early spring, and blue-purple berries that follow. It has a coarse, architectural look with strong upright, cane-like stems and often spreads slowly by suckers to form colonies.

Type: Evergreen shrub.

Mature Size: 4–10' W x 4–10' H.

USDA Zones: 7a–9b.

Form: Upright, coarse, multi-stemmed, cane-like, slowly colony-forming.

Light: Part shade to shade; can take some sun, but foliage may bleach in full sun.

Soil / Water: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil preferred; tolerates clay; medium water, with some drought tolerance once established.

Bloom Time / Length: Late autumn to early spring, most often late winter to early spring; followed by blue-purple berries.

Wildlife: Flowers support pollinators, and the berries attract birds.

Features & Landscape Uses: Useful in shade gardens, woodland edges, naturalized plantings, and difficult dry-shade sites where a bold evergreen texture is wanted. Its winter flowers and ornamental fruit add multi-season interest, but it has naturalized in parts of the southeastern U.S., so planting should be considered carefully in regions where it may become invasive.

Care: Plant in part shade in well-drained soil and water regularly while establishing. Prune after flowering if needed to remove older canes or control size, and remove suckers where spread is unwanted. Avoid harsh full-sun exposure for best foliage color. 

Plant type

Broadleaf Evergreen

Height

4-10'

Width

4-10'

Hardiness zones

7–9

Sunlight

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Spring, Late Winter

Flower color

Yellow

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Blue Green

Fruit color

Royal Blue

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Moist well-drained, Slightly Acidic

Landscape use

Mass Planting, Woodland Gardens

Shape

Multi Stem, Upright

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No