Mahonia confusa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 2 m (6ft).It is hardy to zone (UK) 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from October to December, and the seeds ripen from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Mahonia should not be fed nitrogen rich fertilisers, they don't respond well to that. But they will appreciate a feed in April with a handful of blood, fish and bone scattered around them and gently worked into the ground.
Mahonia tolerate neglect well mainly because their nutrient requirements are low and they grow well with minimal pruning.