Mahonia × media 'Winter Sun'
mahonia
- Position: full or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist or well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: November to March
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Slender spikes of bright yellow flowers appear from November to March, above rosettes of large, handsome, dark green, holly-like leaves. The flowers of this lovely, upright, evergreen shrub have a fragrance reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley, and seem to glow in the wintry sunlight. They are followed by bunches of highly ornamental, round, deep purple berries. This mahonia makes a lovely focal point for a shady spot in the garden, where its glossy, architectural leaves can be appreciated all year round. Give it space, as its leaves will spread, and conceal its long 'legs' with spring-flowering bulbs and small, shade-loving perennials. Although it prefers shade, it will tolerate sun as long as the soil remains moist. - Garden care: Prune in spring after flowering, reducing overlong, leggy stems to a sideshoot or a whorl of foliage and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
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Lenten rose hellebore
Saucer-shaped, yellow with red speckles
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jonquilla daffodil bulbs
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early crocus bulbs
The best crocus for naturalising
Sarcococca confusa
sweet box
Sweetly scented, pure white flowers December to March
Hamamelis × intermedia 'Jelena'
witch hazel
Flushed orange, scented flowers in winter
Camellia sasanqua 'Narumigata'
camellia
Autumn-flowering camellia
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If the plant gets leggy, reduce its size by a third in early spring and it will send out new bottom growth
Lucy Summers - Greenfingers Guides