Mahonia

Position: full or partial shadeSoil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist or well-drained soilRate of growth: averageFlowering period: November to MarchHardiness: fully hardySlender spikes of pale yellow flowers appear from November to March, above rosettes of handsome, dark green, holly-like leaves. The flowers of this lovely, evergreen shrub have a fragrance reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley, and seem to glow in the wintry sunlight. They are followed by masses of round, deep purple berries. This is a useful shrub for partial shade, or woodland areas in the garden, where it will gently spread and suppress weeds. It will tolerate sun as long as the soil remains moist.Garden 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 plant.Goes well with: Kerria japonica, Sarcococca confusa, Magnolia stellata, Pulmonaria officinalis 'Sissinghurst White', Scilla siberica, Eranthis hyemalis...more Price: £9.95 Source: Crocus •