Winter Sun Mahonia | Fragrant Yellow Winter Flowering Shrub

Winter Sun Hybrid Mahonia

5 Gallon

$79.00

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Winter Sun Hybrid Mahonia

Mahonia media ‘Winter Sun’

An architectural evergreen for spectacular upright sprays of yellow winter flowers and a bold, tiered form.

$79.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Winter Sun Hybrid Mahonia is a spectacular architectural evergreen shrub that shines in the winter garden. Its most striking feature is the large, upright, arching sprays of brilliant yellow flowers that emerge from the plant's crown in late fall through winter, providing essential color and nectar for pollinators when little else is blooming. Its foliage is composed of long, spiny, dark green, pinnate leaves arranged in a distinctive, tiered, pagoda-like structure. It makes a bold and low-maintenance statement as a specimen, or can be used in the back of a shady border.

Spectacular Winter Bloom: Produces large, upright racemes of fragrant, bright yellow flowers from November to February.
Architectural Tiered Form: Grows with a strong, vertical habit, with leaves arranged in horizontal layers, creating a striking silhouette.
Excellent for Wildlife: Winter flowers are a vital nectar source for early bumblebees and other insects.
Tough & Adaptable: Tolerates deep shade, drought once established, and poor soils. Highly deer resistant.
Dramatic Specimen Plant: Its size, form, and seasonal bloom make it an ideal focal point for a shaded area.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Pinnately compound, leathery leaves with spiny-toothed margins. The leaflets are narrow, lance-shaped, and a deep, glossy green, providing bold, architectural texture year-round.Flowers: Large, arching to drooping racemes of small, bright yellow, lightly fragrant flowers that extend from the stem tips, providing a spectacular display in the depths of winter.Fruit: Clusters of grapelike, deep blue berries with a whitish bloom (powdery coating) that follow the flowers, attracting birds.Habit: An upright, evergreen shrub with a distinctive, tiered structure. It features a central leader with whorls of nearly horizontal branches, creating a pagoda-like form that adds significant architectural interest to the shade garden.
Mature Height: 6-8 ft.
Mature Width: 4-5 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Partial to full shade
Key Advantages: Provides vibrant color and architectural interest in winter. Highly attractive to pollinators and birds.Tolerates deep shade and cold temperatures.Deer resistant.Low maintenance and adaptable
Landscape Uses:Architectural specimen for shady borders.Winter interest planting.Woodland and wildlife gardens.Low, informal hedge or screen

Q: What are its sun and soil preferences?
A: It performs best in partial to full shade, especially in hot climates. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil but is adaptable. Too much hot sun will scorch the leaves.

Q: How big does it get?
A: It can eventually reach 8-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. It grows at a moderate rate. Its upright habit means it doesn't spread too wide, making it suitable for narrower spaces.