Great Design Plant: 'Charity' Oregon Grape — Winter's Golden Star

This vase-shaped evergreen shrub becomes a winter garden favorite. Whorls of stiff, holly-like foliage are decorated with fragrant yellow flower clusters resembling golden shuttlecocks. 'Charity' Oregon grape (Mahonia x media 'Charity') makes a stunning architectural specimen in borders or containers.

Plant Profile

• Botanical name: Mahonia x media 'Charity'
• Common name: 'Charity' Oregon grape
• USDA zones: 7–9
• Water requirement: Drought tolerant once established; needs more in sun
• Light requirement: Full sun to dappled shade
• Mature size: 10 ft tall, 5 ft wide
• Benefits: Hummingbird favorite; edible berries (try Oregon grape jelly!); deer resistant; tolerates sandy soil and clay (prefers well-drained)
• Seasonal interest: Year-round
• When to plant: Spring or fall

Distinguishing Traits

Stiff, holly-like evergreen foliage; fragrant bright yellow winter flowers; persistent purple berries; bronze new growth.

How to Use It

At home in dappled woodland light or as a focal point in a narrow side garden. For a stunning combo, add 'Sundance' Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata 'Sundance') — Oregon grape's yellow flowers echo its companion's sunny foliage.

'Charity' also excels as a year-round shady container centerpiece, partnered with finely textured shrubs and grasses. Here, subtle russet leaf veins are enhanced by glossy mirror plant (Coprosma repens) and fine-textured orange hair sedge (Carex testacea).

Planting Notes

• Loosen roots before planting in a hole twice as wide, same depth as root ball.
• Water well until established.
• No fertilizer needed; bonemeal sprinkle promotes root growth.
• When young, cut growing tips in spring to encourage bushiness.
• No pruning needed when mature.