Mahonia 'CABARET'^®

Cabaret^® is a fantastic new leatherleaf mahonia from 2009. It produces 10-15 cm long, semi-erect racemes of rich orange and yellow flowers that open from deep coral red buds. Unlike other similar mahonias this one has no fragrance. They are followed by blue berries in autumn and winter. The evergreen leaves are pinnate, mid green to almost blue-green, very glossy, and have a thin red line along the margins from spring until late summer. Their tips are sharp once the leaves mature in early summer.

Cabaret^® mahonia was found by a Dutch grower Klaas Willem Verboom as a naturally occurring mutation, or rather a hybrid between mahonia nitens and mahonia gracilipes. After 5 years of testing and reproducing it he introduced his novelty at Dutch exhibition Plantarium in 2009 where the plant received a gold medal. It was patented one year after under PP21,572.

It grows moderately into a dense shrub with coarse structure. Grow it in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Leatherleaf mahonia does not tolerate direct sunlight. Hardiness has been experienced to -20°C with no damage, and is supposed to go even lower to USDA zone 6 = -23°C.

Last update 10-09-2012