Best of the bunch: Mahonia

Mar 13 2010

by Karen Overbury, The Journal

Mahonia THESE evergreen shrubs are valued for their honey- scented flowers in late winter and early spring, as well as their spiky foliage which comes in different shades. Most types have either rounded clusters or starburst spikes of yellow flowers which last for many weeks in the winter, followed by purple or black berries. Most are upright, but some are lower growing and make good ground cover. Larger varieties, such as M x media ‘Charity’, which grows to five metres (15ft) tall, are ideal at the back of a border or as a specimen plant. They make good partners for other early interest plants, such as Viburnum x bodnantense. Mahonias like fertile soil with added organic matter and do best in full or partial shade, where the soil is moist all the time. Prune after flowering, lightly cutting back shoots which spoil the shape. If you’re after contrasting foliage, go for the low-growing M. aquifolium ‘Apollo’, whose leaves turn a rich purple hue in autumn.