How Do You Propagate Leatherleaf Mahonia?
Leatherleaf mahonia is a slow growing but eye catching shrub that will brighten up the landscape with spikes of fragrant yellow blooms that make an appearance in late winter or early spring. When the blooms fade in summer, they are replaced with clusters of brightly colored bluish-purple berries that will feed hungry songbirds all summer long.The greyish green evergreen foliage is stiff and leathery, and looks somewhat like holly. Leatherleaf mahonia is easily propagated by stem cuttings in late spring or early summer. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut a 5-inch to 6-inch length of stem from the tip of a healthy leatherleaf mahonia branch. Make the cutting in early morning while the shrub is well-hydrated. If you aren’t ready to plant the cuttings immediately, put them in a container with damp paper towels to keep them cool and damp. Fill a seedling tray with a mixture of half commercial potting soil and half coarse sand. Dampen the potting mixture with a spray bottle until it’s wet c
