Mahonia

Long, upright spikes of fragrant, bright to lemon-yellow flowers, from November to March, and whorls of dark green, holly-like leaves. The spiny foliage of this evergreen mahonia is a good deterrent against unwanted intruders. Best in partial shade, it's an excellent, tall, architectural plant for a fertile, moist, well-drained shrub or mixed border.Position: full or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist or well-drained soilRate of growth: fast-growingFlowering period: November to MarchFlower colour: yellowOther features: the flowers are followed by ovoid, blue-purple berriesHardiness: fully hardyGarden care: Prune in spring after flowering, reducing overlong, leggy stems to a sideshoot or a whorl of foliage and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plantGoes well with: Kerria japonica, Sarcococca confusa, Magnolia stellata, Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Scilla siberica, Eranthis hyemalis
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