Creeping Mahonia

Mahonia repens is a hardy, evergreen shrub providing excellent ground cover with its holly-like, spiny, dark green leaves that often turn bronze-purple in winter, offering seasonal interest. It typically grows to 30-60cm in height and spreads slowly by rhizomes to create a dense carpet up to 1m wide. In early spring, clusters of fragrant yellow flowers appear, followed by blue-black berries that attract birds. This tough plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Fully hardy (H5), it's superb for woodland gardens, underplanting, or difficult shady slopes, offering excellent year-round structure and weed suppression.

Sun: Partial shade to full shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Mar, Apr.