The mission of the Garden
is to inspire people of
all ages to connect with
plants and nature.
Plant of the Month
Photos:Herb Knufken and Rachel Cobb
Berberis nevinii (or Mahonia nevinii)
Common Name: Nevin’s Barberry or Mahonia
Growth Habit: dense shrub 5-6’ high x 8’ wide
Cultural Requirements: They require well-drained soils. Once established, they require little to no water although they tolerate normal regular watering. They are quite cold tolerant.
Features/Uses: The prickly, grey foliage makes this plant a wonderful evergreen background plant. The small yellow flowers bloom in late winter into early spring. They are followed in summer by red fruits. Very drought tolerant these shrubs are also apparently resistant to deer and oak root rot.
Although they are initially slow growing, after they get established they grow moderately quickly.
Although this is a Federally endangered species, nursery propagated plants are available from some nurseries, especially those that specialize in native plants.
Bloom Time: Late winter into early spring
Where in the Garden: California Gardenscapes, Fire Safety Gardenand the Herb Garden
