Oregon grape Mahonia × media 'Charity'
ABOUT
Charity Mahonia is an ornamental plant known for its attractive and distinctive appearance. This plant features bold, pinnate foliage, with leaves that resemble those of holly due to their spiny edges. The leaves are typically dark green and glossy, adding to the plant's visual appeal throughout the year. Each leaf is made up of multiple leaflets arranged in a feather-like pattern, contributing to the plant's textured look. In the colder months, Charity Mahonia becomes a focal point in the garden because of its striking, bright yellow flowers. These flowers are arranged in long, upright racemes that tower above the foliage, providing a vibrant contrast against the dark green leaves. The flower racemes are dense with individual blooms and give off a subtle fragrance that can attract pollinators like bees. Following the blooming period, the plant often produces clusters of dark blue to purple berries. The berries add an additional layer of interest and can persist on the plant, providing a food source for birds and other wildlife. Overall, Charity Mahonia is cherished for both its architectural foliage and its bold, seasonal displays of color through flowers and fruit, making it a valuable addition to gardens for year-round interest.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Charity Mahonia, Oregon Grape, Grape Holly
Common names
Mahonia × media 'Charity'.
ToxicityTo humans
Mahonia × media 'Charity', commonly known as 'Charity' Mahonia, contains alkaloids which can be toxic to humans if ingested. While not usually highly toxic, consuming this plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It is crucial to exercise caution and avoid consuming any part of this plant.
To pets
'Charity' Mahonia is also potentially toxic to pets due to the presence of alkaloids. If pets ingest parts of the plant, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and weakness. In severe cases, alkaloid toxicity can lead to more serious symptoms, including tremors or changes in heart rate and respiration. It is best to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting any part of the 'Charity' Mahonia.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
10 feet (3 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: 'Charity' Mahonia produces attractive, yellow flowers in late fall or early winter, bringing color to the garden when few other plants are in bloom.
- Winter Interest: The evergreen foliage of 'Charity' Mahonia provides year-round interest with its leathery, holly-like leaves that remain green even in the coldest months.
- Attracts Wildlife: The bright yellow flowers are a food source for pollinators such as bees, and the blue-black berries that follow are eaten by birds.
- Low Maintenance: 'Charity' Mahonia is known for being a low maintenance plant, requiring minimal pruning and care once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Mahonia × media 'Charity' is fairly drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens with less water available.
- Shade Tolerance: 'Charity' Mahonia can thrive in part shade, making it a useful plant for underplanting beneath taller trees or in shadier parts of the garden.
- Architectural Structure: The upright form and bold foliage of 'Charity' Mahonia add architectural interest to the landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Mahonia × media 'Charity' can be used as a natural dye source. The berries produce a purple or blue dye that can be used for fabrics and yarns.
- The plant's dense, spiky foliage can act as a protective barrier in a garden, deterring animals and unauthorized human access.
- Because of its stiff, holly-like leaves, Charity can be used in floral arrangements, particularly in winter-themed bouquets.
- The wood of the 'Charity' can be used in small-scale woodworking projects. Although not commonly used, the wood has an ornamental quality when polished.
- Its berries are a source of food for birds during the winter months, offering a natural way to attract wildlife to the garden.
- The intricate texture and form of 'Charity' make it suitable as a subject for botanical illustration or photography.
- During festive seasons, sprigs of Charity adorned with its berries can be used as natural Christmas decorations.
- Educational purposes: Charity can be used as a live model for teaching botany and horticulture, illustrating plant structure and adaptation.
- Its year-round appeal, with flowers in late fall to winter and berries in spring, makes it a good candidate for a focal point in garden design for interest throughout multiple seasons.
- The plant can be integrated into hedge mazes or topiary gardens due to its robust and evergreen nature, providing structure and greenery throughout the year.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Oregon grape is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Oregon grape is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Mahonia × media 'Charity', commonly known as Oregon Grape, is a plant noted for its hardy nature, symbolizing the ability to withstand difficult conditions and adversity.
- Protection: With its spiny leaves, Oregon Grape embodies the idea of protecting oneself or one’s home from negative influences.
- Healing: Bearing yellow flowers that turn into grape-like fruits, this plant has been associated with healing due to its traditional medicinal uses.
- Solar energy: The bright yellow flowers of Oregon Grape signify a connection with solar energy and the illumination of one's path or decisions.
- Prosperity: The abundance of its berries can be symbolic of prosperity and the idea of reaping the rewards from one's efforts.
WaterFor Oregon Grape (Mahonia × media 'Charity'), water deeply once a week during dry periods to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season in spring and summer, this is especially important. In the absence of rainfall, apply approximately two gallons of water for each mature plant to saturate the root zone. Reduce watering in fall and further in winter when the plant's water requirements decrease. Always check the soil moisture level before watering to avoid overwatering, as Oregon Grape prefers well-drained conditions.
LightOregon Grape thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best spot for this plant would be where it receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade, as intense afternoon sun can be harsh, especially in hotter climates. Dappled sunlight under open tree canopies or east-facing locations that shield the plant from the strongest rays in the afternoon are ideal.
TemperatureOregon Grape is hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures, from a minimum of around 0 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, its ideal growing temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure the plant is sheltered from extreme cold winds and excessively high temperatures, which can damage the foliage.
PruningPrune Oregon Grape to maintain shape and encourage new growth, ideally in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood, and thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation. Every few years, you might need to cut back older stems to rejuvenate the plant. Pruning is generally not required annually, but when performed, it should be done carefully to maintain the natural form of the shrub.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMahonia Charity thrives in well-draining soil with a pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.5, making it slightly acidic to neutral. A mix containing loam, peat, and sand in equal parts with a bit of compost is ideal for this Oregon Grape.
RepottingOregon Grape 'Charity' is typically repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container, which is less frequent than many other houseplants due to its growth rate.
Humidity & MistingOregon Grape 'Charity' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the lower humidity levels typically found in home environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and cool temperatures for indoor Oregon Grape.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, in well-draining, moist soil for outdoor Oregon Grape.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA.
Life cycleMahonia × media 'Charity', commonly known as Oregon grape 'Charity', begins its life cycle as a seed, often propagated in late winter or early spring. After germination, the seedling emerges and establishes itself, developing into a juvenile plant with pinnate leaves that have spiny-toothed leaflets. As it matures, the plant forms a woody, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 5 meters tall. During late fall to early winter, it produces racemes of bright yellow flowers which are attractive to pollinators. Following pollination, these flowers develop into blue-black berries by late summer, containing seeds for the next generation. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during the coldest winter months before resuming growth in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Autumn-Winter
Oregon Grape 'Charity' is typically best propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings taken during mid-summer to early fall. This method involves selecting a healthy, semi-ripe stem approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long with several leaves. The cut should be made just below a leaf node, where the concentration of growth hormones is higher. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone powder to increase the chances of successful root development. The cutting is then placed in a pot with well-draining potting mix, and kept under high humidity with moderate indirect sunlight until roots develop, which could take several weeks. Regular misting or a plastic bag can be used to maintain the necessary humidity levels. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to individual pots and grown on until they are strong enough to plant out in their final position.
