December is a great time to get out in the garden and appreciate the evergreens. Hollies are thick with berries and Garrya elliptica, (which is a Marmite plant you either love it or hate it!) has pendulant tassels in winter. Whilst the spiky Mahonia is bold and architectural with its bright yellow flowers and black-blue berries.
Mahonia x media ‘Charity’
This is an imposing plant, ideal for the large shrub border. Upright stems are topped with dark holly like leaves and during November-January each one is crowned with lemon-yellow flowers, with long strings of blue-black fruits.
Sometimes slow to establish, but happy in most soils and situations making it easy to grow to a height of 1.8m.
Vicky’s Top Tip
Prune back flowered shoots in spring to keep its shape. On more established plants, cut out two or three older stems to encourage new growth from the base.