Mahonia gracilipes is My Favorite Plant...This Week

Mahonia gracilipes  or  Berberis gracilipes as it's now  known is a  gorgeous evergreen shrub with pinnate leaves with large leaflets.

The brilliant white undersides of the leaves are an added bonus and when my plant reaches the promised four to six feet, it'll be easier to see them without turning the leaves over. 

Mine bloomed for the first time this year and I'm looking forward to the blue berries to follow.

Here's some information stolen directly from Plant Lust  (click on the link for more info and images):

ZONES

7a-10b

SIZE

H:5'-6'

W:5'

GROWING CONDITIONS

SOIL NEEDS:

Average, Well-Drained, Rich

WATER NEEDS:

Even Moisture, Regular, Occasional, Drought Tolerant

SUN EXPOSURE:

Sun, Part Sun, Light/Bright Shade, Dappled Shade, Part Shade

FEATURES

FLOWERS:

Red, Yellow, Purple / Violet

FOLIAGE:

Evergreen

FRUIT:

Yellow, Blue

WILDLIFE:

Birds, Deer Resistant

FLOWERING TIME:

Summer, Fall

 Mahonias are gorgeous plants and this one is no exception.  If you're lucky enough to be able to grow in in your USDA hardiness zone, do, you won't be disapointed!

The favorite plant of the week meme is hosted by Loree at Danger Garden.  Follow the link to see other garden bloggers' favorites...this week.

Friday Smiles from My Garden

Here are some things that made me smile in my garden this week.

The Solanum quitoense is once again going to produce fruit.

On of my camellias produced this interesting seed pod.  I've never had that happen before.  It might be interesting to save and try to grow the seeds.

Mahonia gracilipes is blooming for the first time.

It seems to be happy here.

This tiny Mahonia eurybracteata 'Indianola Silver'  that I got at Indianola during one of  their Northwest Perennial Alliance garden opens  was transplanted several weeks ago and hasn't died yet!

I hope your garden is full of plants that make you happy!   Happy weekend all!