Magonia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Mahonia (lat. Mahonia) - an ornamental shrub of the Barberry family. In the wild, Mahonia are found in North and Central America, South and East Asia. The plant was named after Bernard McMahon, an Irish American gardener. Currently, there are about 50 species.

Characteristics of culture

Magonia is an evergreen shrub or small tree with gray bark. Leaves are compound, pinnate, leathery with shine, with or without stipules, sharp-toothed at the edges, arranged alternately, can reach 40 cm in length. Flowers are small, yellow, collected in multi-flowered panicles or erect inflorescences.

The fruit is a spherical or oval berry, it can be black-blue, blue or red with a bluish bloom, there are forms with white fruits. In Russia, one species has become widespread - Mahonia aquifolia (lat. Mahonia aquifolia).

Growing conditions

Mahonia is a thermophilic plant, prefers slightly shaded areas. The culture has a negative attitude towards direct sunlight, but it grows in such conditions of high soil moisture. Prolonged drought and high temperatures adversely affect the development of Mahonia. Soils for growing shrubs are preferable loose, fertile, moderately moist, drained with a neutral pH reaction. Too compacted, waterlogged, saline and dry soils are not suitable for growing crops.

Reproduction and planting

Mahonia is propagated by seeds, layering, cuttings and grafting. Sowing is carried out in the fall, although spring sowing is not prohibited. Seeds are subjected to long-term stratification before sowing. This method of reproduction of Mahonia is long-lasting and not effective, young plants bloom only for 4-5 years. Most often, gardeners propagate the culture by layering and cuttings. Cuttings are cut only from young shrubs, cuttings taken from old Mahonia do not take root.

Mahonia seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. Landing pits are prepared in advance. The depth of the pit should be 40-50 cm, and the width - 50-55 cm. The soil removed from the pit is mixed with humus and sand. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pit in the form of crushed stone and 1/3 of the soil mixture. When planting, it is important to ensure that the root collar of the seedling is located at soil level. The distance between plants should be at least 1 m, for free growth - 2 m. After planting, the plants are watered and mulched with peat.

Care

Mahonia is hygrophilous, needs regular watering, at least once every two weeks, 10-12 liters for each shrub. Watering is carried out not only at the root, it is advisable to irrigate the plants from a hose with a diffuser. This procedure will not only cleanse the pores of the leaves, but will also give Mahonia a fresh and attractive look.

It responds positively to feeding crops. Fertilizers are applied twice a season: the first feeding with complex mineral fertilizers is carried out before flowering, the second feeding - in the fall. When the soil is compacted near the trunk circles, loosening is carried out, so you can provide an additional flow of air to the root system.

Mahonium pruning tolerates well, recovers quickly. Prune immediately after flowering or in late autumn. Flower buds next spring will form on the growths of last year, so the shoots are shortened by half at most. In some cases, the plants are cut "on a stump" (this applies to old specimens and shrubs with a strongly deformed crown), you should not worry, Mahonia will quickly recover and easily form a beautiful crown.

Application

Magonia is a highly ornamental plant that will perfectly fit into various garden compositions. Low-growing forms will decorate rocky gardens and curbs. Mahonia is often used to create hedges. Plant the crop in groups on the lawn. Magonia go well with roses, look harmoniously in mixed compositions with perennial flower crops and flowering shrubs.