Quick Guide: summer, hardy, sun/ semi-shade, height: 3m/10ft, width: 2.4m/6ft

Mahonias are handsome shrubs, with dark green glossy leaves and racemes of fragrant, bright yellow flowers. The foliage is used as winter decoration. All the species bear dark blue berries: those of Mahonia aquifolium are carried in clusters, earning it the common name Oregon grape. This species spreads by means of suckers and is an excellent ground cover

GROWING Set out young plants in autumn or spring in sun or semi-shade in fertile, well-drained soil that is not markedly alkaline. Mulch annually in spring with leaf-mould or peat. No pruning is necessary except for M. aquifolium grown as groundcover, which should be pruned hard each spring.

SPECIES M. aquifolium, maximum height 1.5m/-5ft unless regularly pruned, spread 1.8m/6ft, spring-flowering, dense clusters of flowers precede plump berries, wind-tolerant. Leaves of the variety `Atropurpurea' turn red in winter; M. xCharity, hybrid, bearing 30cm/12in racemes of deep yellow flowers in mid winter.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Leaf spot; rust.