Utah Holly

Mahonia fremontii

Planted 1978

Utah Holly, also known as Fremont Mahonia, is native to the Southwest region. It is well adapted to poor soils and drought. Its leaves resemble holly leaves and have sharp pointed edges. They emerge with purple tinges and mature to a gray-green color. It produces yellow flowers in the spring and purple fruit in the fall.

Clusters of small bright yellow flowers surrounded by sharp gray holly leaves

Height	Width	Zone	Growth Rate	Water Use
5-10 ft.	5-10 ft.	5-10	Medium	Low

Leaf

Alternate, pinnately compound, and serrated. The edges of the leaves come to sharp point. Gray-green when mature with purple hues as young growth. Evergreen.

Fruit

Purple berry, edible but very sour, used as a dye by native Americans.

Flower

Yellow racemes, fragrant, bloom in late spring.

Advantages

Adapts to a variety of soil types, drought tolerant, resistant to deer.

Disadvantages

Does not tolerate shade.