Mahonia Eurybracteata Sweet Winter Chinese Mahonia

Mahonia Eurybracteata Sweet Winter, commonly known as Chinese Mahonia Sweet Winter, is a graceful evergreen shrub with fine, slender foliage and bright winter flowers. A member of the barberry (berberis) family, this variety stands out with its elegant leaves that resemble bamboo and its fragrant golden blooms which provide a welcome splash of colour during the colder months. Holding the Perfect for Pollinators Badge, this shrub is not only decorative but also highly valued for attracting bees and other beneficial insects.

Unlike holly-leaved Mahonia Aquifolium and Mahonia Nitens, Eurybracteata Sweet Winter is distinguished by its soft, narrow leaflets that give the plant a lighter, almost fern-like appearance. The foliage remains lush and green year-round, providing dependable structure in shaded corners of the garden. From late autumn through winter, racemes of scented, bright yellow flowers appear, offering both seasonal interest and a vital nectar source when little else is in bloom. These flowers are later followed by clusters of decorative blue-black berries that extend its appeal into early spring.

Height and Width of Mahonia Eurybracteata Sweet Winter:

Chinese Mahonia Sweet Winter typically grows to around 1.5 metres in height and spreads to approximately 1.2 metres in width, which is quite compact for Mahonia. Its neat growth habit makes it well suited to smaller gardens as well as larger, layered planting schemes.

How hardy is Mahonia Eurybracteata Sweet Winter?

Mahonia Sweet Winter is hardy in the UK climate, coping well with typical winter conditions. It performs best in sheltered spots, where its delicate leaves are protected from harsh winds and excessive frost.

Uses in Garden and/or Landscape:

This variety is highly versatile, thriving in full to partial shade and making an excellent choice for woodland-style gardens, shady borders, or underplanting larger trees and shrubs. Its fragrant flowers, evergreen foliage, and pollinator-friendly qualities make it a valuable addition for gardeners looking to combine beauty with biodiversity. The more refined leaf shape also makes it a striking specimen for contemporary planting designs.

Care Tips:

Plant Eurybracteata Sweet Winter in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It prefers partial shade but will tolerate deeper shade once established. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first year after planting. Pruning is rarely required, though lightly trimming back any leggy stems after flowering can help maintain its shape. A mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn will keep roots cool and retain soil moisture.