February 2-9 Leatherleaf Mahonia

When people think of evergreen shrubs, typically you think of Pines, and Firs, but there is another category of evergreens--Broadleaf Evergreens. This category of shrubs/trees includes boxwoods, Japanese hollies, and
pyracantha.

Leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei) is yet another example of a broadleaf evergreen.  We have a number of them in the Arboretum, but you can easily find one in the garden in Court Four.  The foliage is coarse and
distinctive and does not drop its leaves in the fall. In late spring large clusters of electric blue "grapes" grace this plant.  Check this shrub out 

now and visit it again to see its "grapes" in the spring.