Narihira Mahonia

The Narihira Mahonia is the perfect choice for those who want to add greenery to shadier locations in the garden, with the extra-added bonus of flowers and berries, adding even more color to the area. This shrub performs best when planted in a site that receives partial sun to partial shade, however, in its warmest location it would appreciate a site that gets a bit more shade during the hot afternoon hours.

Whether you live in a more temperate region located in USDA planting zone 7, or in the warmest areas of our country, USDA planting zone 10, Narihira Mahonia will thrive in your landscape and retain its evergreen nature. Of course, in the coolest areas of its hardiness zone, you can place a layer of mulch around the shrub’s base in winter to help insulate and keep the roots warm. In addition, those living in the warmest areas of its hardiness zone should also use a layer of mulch around its base to help the soil retain moisture, especially when conditions are hot and dry and grow it in a location that doesn’t receive drying winds.

Growing Narihira Mahonia

To keep your Narihira Mahonia retaining its robust growth or to help it fill in and become thicker, you can give it a light pruning after the shrub finishes blooming. Just make sure to use sterilized pruning tools to make your cuts so you do not transfer disease or pests to your shrub – this is as easy as wiping off the blades with rubbing alcohol. Its maintenance requirements are relatively low, other than watering regularly when outdoor conditions are hot and dry. In addition, keep the evergreen thriving at its best by feeding it in springtime with an all-purpose blend. When grown in desired conditions, Narihira Mahonia will give a tropical lushness to your landscape for years to come.

Narihira Mahonia brings color to the garden all year long and adds a cheery and rich appeal wherever you decide to use it. It performs well grown in larger containers, and adds an exotic appeal to patios or entranceways with its feathery foliage. Just be sure your containers have bottom drain holes to prevent rot.

With its looks resembling bamboo, Narihira Mahonia is a great addition to use in Asian or Zen gardens, as well as used around a water feature. It works well used in woodland or wildlife gardens, as the flowers attract hummingbirds and the berries other birds. In addition, it can add a different form and texture used in mixed gardens. With its shorter size, the Mahonia is suitable used to line borders, walkways or used as a specimen. With its moderate rate of growth, using multiple shrubs in a mass planting will quickly fill in the area with the shrub’s dense, evergreen growth. Wherever you decide to use Narihira Mahonia, it will have eye-catching appeal for years to come.

Planting Location

When selecting a permanent site to plant your Narihira Mahonia, select a location with its preferred light conditions of partial sun to partial shade. If your summers have a tendency to become extremely hot and dry, choose a location that receives partial shade during the afternoon hours when temperatures are the hottest. Although the Mahonia tolerates growing in a wide variety of well-drained soil, you will get the best growth and performance planting it in rich, well-drained soils kept moist through regular watering. You can always pump up your soil’s fertility by incorporating well-rotted manure or compost into the area before planting. During the first season of growth and especially when conditions are hot and dry, water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Once established, Narihira Mahonia is moderately tolerant to drought.

If you are planting multiple plants together then make sure that you consider the mature width of the Mahonia and space them accordingly. You want proper air circulation around the shrubs, which cuts down on potential problems with disease and pests.

History and Origins of Narihira Mahonia

Narihira Mahonia, or botanically Mahonia confusa ‘Narihira’, is one of the many cultivars produced from Mahonia confusa, native to Eastern Asia and Western China. When you purchase our Narihira Mahonia plants you can rest assured you are receiving healthy plants that were grown in a nursery environment with all their needs met. They will thrive in your landscape with the luscious greenery for years to come.