Mahonia eurybracteata subsp.ganpinensis ‘Soft Caress’ (mahonia Soft Caress) £24.99
Position: full sun to full shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: bright yellow Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, blue berries Hardiness: fully hardy Recently released onto the market, and winner of “Plant of the Year” at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013, this is the first Mahonia to have spine-free leaves, which means that they can be planted near to paths or doorways where you may brush past them. ‘Soft Caress’ is a compact, evergreen shrub, so it is ideal for larger pots, where it will provide year-round interest. Alternatively, it will make a fine addition to either a sunny or partially shaded border. Garden care: Every second year after flowering prune specimens grown as groundcover to just above ground level to encourage bushy growth and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

Mahonia nitens ‘Cabaret’ (PBR) (mahonia) £19.99
Position: full sun to partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist or well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to November Hardiness: fully hardy This delightful new introduction has only recently become available, so we are one of the first to offer it for sale in the UK. It has the same glossy, holly-like, evergreen foliage, that you would expect to see on a Mahonia, but this compact variety produces its flowers from the end of summer and all the way through autumn. These appear initially as elegant racemes smothered with bright orange-red buds, that open from the base of the spike to reveal cheerful yellow flowers. Once the flowers have faded, bluish-grey berries form, which contrast beautifully with the winter foliage. Garden care: Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.

Mahonia eurybracteata subsp.ganpinensis ‘Soft Caress’ (mahonia Soft Caress) £14.99
Position: full sun to full shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: August to October Flower colour: bright yellow Other features: the flowers are followed by spherical, blue berries Hardiness: fully hardy Recently released onto the market, and winner of “Plant of the Year” at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013, this is the first Mahonia to have spine-free leaves, which means that they can be planted near to paths or doorways where you may brush past them. ‘Soft Caress’ is a compact, evergreen shrub, so it is ideal for larger pots, where it will provide year-round interest. Alternatively, it will make a fine addition to either a sunny or partially shaded border. Garden care: Every second year after flowering prune specimens grown as groundcover to just above ground level to encourage bushy growth and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’ (mahonia) £12.99
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 thi s lovely, upright, evergreen shrub have a fragrance reminiscent of lily-of-the-v alley, 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 lea ves 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.

Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ (mahonia) £12.99
Position: full or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist or well-drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: November to March Hardiness: fully hardy Slender spikes of pale 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: Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring while it is getting established. No pruning required.