Mahonia aquifolium / Maonia

Origin: North-western America.

Botanical characteristics: It is a medium-sized evergreen shrub with a bushy and spreading growth habit. Its pinnate leaves are up to 30 cm long and consist of little elliptical dark green and glossy leaflets with prickly margins. In winter the leaves turn red. The late-winter- or early-spring-blooming has golden-yellow flowers that are clustered in erect panicles up to 10 cm long.. Then, the globose dark blue berries follow.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It has no particular requirements of soil type and tolerates calcareous soils, too. It prefers shade or partial shade exposure but tolerates full sun.

Use: It is used in all along gardens, in groups, in mixed hedges and is suitable for the undergrowth.