Mahonia fortunei

10 litre pot  — 3ft

This evergreen shrub is one of many in the barberry family. It has multiple stems with the branches remaining full at the bottom and draping over as they grow in height, making it a rounded 3 to 5 foot wide and tall shrub. It can be used in a mass planting or as a single shrub in smaller areas or small gardens. It can be effective in front of tall shrubs with bare lower stems or in front of trees with less bark interest.

It is moderately drought tolerant although less hardy than other shrubs in the barberry family. This is a shade plant but in some areas it has been grown in a fair amount of sun with partial shade. The shrub can be pruned to size, but keep in mind that next season’s blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth. The flower form is called raceme, meaning a stalk with small, tight flowers along the stalk that have no or very short stems of their own. Older blooms are at the base with younger ones further out on the stalk or raceme. Blooms are yellow and appear in late summer into winter. Border Hedge Attracts: Bees Butterflies