Hi. I bought a "Mahonia Japonica" about three feet tall from Garden Works last year. What excited me is the fact I was told it is the only tree/plant that flowers in winter and is mix between a Chinese and a Canadian plant. We are a mixes couple. So I put it into nice big terra cotta pot in front of our door step facing south exposed to the elements and it really bloomed in February. Now since spring I do water my garden regularly and it gets its fair share of artificial rain. BUT now in may it has lovely colours of yellow and red leaves AND black spots and seems to get all dried up and loose its leaves. Can that be the same black spot as roses? I do have roses in the garden +- 5m away that also go black spots this spring. If that is normal as other plants loose their leaves in Winter or is this baby sick and will die? If so then I will return it to Garden works a.s.a.p and get a replacement. Thanks for your input.
I can see your concern. Oregon Grape is used to being in the big wide world out there - so it seems stressed in the pot on the south-facing / no rain door entry way. it should have flowered in spring with yellow - then maybe some purple small berries (*like grapes, hence the name) - and then it brings new leaves small then bigger as the season progresses. believe me - at our Okanagan home - i have had heavy equipment for construction drive over it - and it comes back - tho it is planted "au naturel" (out in the earth) - so I'm sure yours is feeling confined and way too hot. generally I would not put Oregon grape in full south sun - it can be dry but shade from my experience. ========= I wonder what your gardening goal is - it seems like you need to garden on the deck (top of the stairs?) and in pots? (and you like to celebrate your heritages which I understand) are there better options for the patio pots? (a simple boxwood - buxus intended for pots? or other ideas?) the full south face is a challenge - very hot esp in a pot. do you have a dry shade place for your heritage garden - using your oregon grape (ie transplant it out of the pot and full south exposure before it totally dies) --- you could make a special garden area to celebrate your cultures with some driftwood and some shells and pebbles etc and native salal also at the garden center (gaultheria ... forgive my spelling, might be wrong) - some early spring bulbs - the naturalizing ones like Pacific Rim or Tete A Tete (mini daffs - widely available in Sept) ---- sword ferns (at garden center) like similar areas as oregon grape at the coast I notice.
