How to Prune Leatherleaf Mahonias

Leatherleaf Mahonia, known botanically as Mahonia bealei, is a flowering and fruiting evergreen shrub species also colloquially named Oregon grape. Leatherleaf mahonia is in the Berberis family of plants and as with many species in the family, the leaves sport tiny spikes along the margin, similarly to holly. According to North Carolina State University Extension, ongoing pruning requirements are not extensive, but, when necessary, pruning is readily tolerated and can improve the health and form of the shrub.

Heavy duty garden gloves
Loppers
Secateurs

Instructions

- 1
  Prune your Leatherleaf Mahonia in the later winter or very early spring before new growth becomes visible. When needed, more minor pruning corrections can be done anytime during the growing season.
- 2
  Remove any dead, defoliated, diseased, cracked or ailing branches down to the crown of the plant, using secateurs. Pull each cutting cleanly from the shrub canopy to make way for replacement growth, composting or discard them.
- 3
  Control the height and spread of the shrub by trimming back the terminal tips of the longest branches, as needed. Follow the natural form of the shrub and place cuts just beyond a healthy lateral branch or leaf.
- 4
  Rejuvenate a badly overgrown, neglected or bare branched mahonia by removing 1/3 of the branches each year over a period of three years. Use secateurs or loppers as needed to make clean, crisp[ cuts on a gentle bias. Cut each stem down to a foot or so above the crown. This will spur new leafy shoots to fill in the bare areas and in a few years time, create an entirely new shrub restoring the natural arching form.

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