Mahonia sinensis

Mahonia sinensis, the Chinese Mahonia, is a Chinese botanical species characterised by fine-textured foliage and fragrant autumn flowering in bright yellow. It is a small, slow-growing, evergreen bush, easy to grow in shade or semi-shade. It brings interesting texture to the garden with its gently exotic charm, quite rare in the world of plants in temperate climates. It will add a certain charm to shrub borders or low hedges. This small bush also adapts well to container or pot cultivation, to decorate the terrace or balcony.

Mahonia sinensis (synonym Mahonia fortunei) belongs to the Berberidaceae family. In nature, this bush grows in the shade of forests and undergrowth, on the edge, in thickets, on rocky slopes up to 2000 m altitude. It has a compact, spreading and low habit, reaching 80 cm in height, with a spread of 1 m. Its growth is slow. Its foliage is different from that of usual mahonias: its leaves are elongated and narrow, not very prickly, grouped at the end of the branches, giving it a palm or fern-like appearance. They are divided into narrow, tough, bright green, not very thorny leaflets. It blooms from October-November to December. Its inflorescences are clusters of small, fragrant bright yellow flowers. After pollination, black-blue berries (4 to 6 mm in diameter) form and ripen in spring. Birds are fond of them, humans can consume them once cooked, in the form of excellent jellies.

Mahonia sinensis is a shade or semi-shade plant, perfect in Japanese-inspired or exotic gardens. This plant offers a new use for mahonias. Create an unusual scene with sacred bamboos (Nandina), ferns, and hellebores. Its detailed foliage will work well in a pot on the terrace, away from the scorching sun of course. In winter, mahonia foliage can be used to create beautiful bouquets, but it is best to avoid picking when it freezes hard.