Mahonia aquifolium

Small shrub with many shoots but few branches, domed, 0.8-1.2 (2) m tall and wide, some runners, gradually like a thicket, slow-growing.

Terminal, golden yellow racemes, April (May), pungent.

Glaucous blue, black, juicy berries from August on, sour, not poisonous.

Evergreen, pinnate, 10-20 cm long, slightly thorny on the edge, initially pale green, later shiny dark green, varying; bronze in winter sun.

Cordate, sensitive to drought and soil compaction, tolerate root pressure from larger trees.

Sun only with high humidity and moist soil, otherwise light shade to shade; sensitive to heat and drought, tolerant of urban pollution, sensitive to wind.

Moderately dry to fresh, on all acidic to neutral garden soil, tolerates slightly alkaline substrates.

Untidy parts can be cut radically.

Zone 5a