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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.