This evergreen shrub has multiple upright suckering stems with ascending branches that form a bushy habit. It has dull green leaflets with spiny margins and the yellow cup-shaped flowers appear in a small raceme above the foliage during spring. 

Hardiness zones 7 to 10

Mahonia pinnata is naturally found in the south-west North America from Oregon to California and Mexico growing on woodland slopes and exposed rocky outcrops and chaparral from sea level to an altitude of 1,200 m (3,937 ft). It has also naturalised in other countries such as Australia where it is regarded as a weed. 

This shrub prefers an open to exposed sunny to shaded position and grows in well-drained, moderately fertile sandy-stony to clay soils that are tending acidic with a pH range from 5.1 to 6.5. It is frost and drought tolerant and is resistant to deer and rabbits. 

The California Barberry is grown for its flowers and foliage. It is planted in small or arid gardens along the borders or as a specimen and is ideal for shaded positions. It is also grown in the understory of a woodland settings or in patio pots and plant boxes. It is suitable coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is long lived. 

This shrub is used in commercial landscapes requiring little maintenance but care should be taken as under ideal conditions the plant self slows readily and becomes a weed. ID 3714

Mahonia (ma-HON-ee-a) pinnata (pin-NAY-tuh)

Note:
The Wavyleaf Barberry has naturalised in parts of south-eastern Australia along the central and southern tablelands of New South Wales and the ACT were where it is regarded as a weed. It produces a grape-like fruit that is eaten and dispersed by birds.

Berberidaceae (BER-be-rid-AY-see-ee)