Bloemen-flowers Mahonia aquifolium - Mahonia shrub

• Article number: MAHAQU02

Mahonia aquifolium also called Mahonia bush is an evergreen shrub, also known as grape bush.
This well-hardy shrub grows to a maximum height of 150 cm after many years and does not need pruning. The leaf has spiky edges and is glossy green. In winter the leaves often turn bronze.

From March to May you have early color in your garden and the plant blooms abundantly with yellow flower clusters. 
The flowers smell wonderfully sweet and aromatic, especially at dusk and evening. It is a blend of honey nectar with the freshness of lemon and is also liked by bees. 
If you touch the center of the flower with a blade of grass, the sensitive flowers and stamens close.

After flowering, green fruits initially appear that slowly turn blue/black. These berries are slightly frosted with a gray haze.
The berries are edible, but the seeds are poisonous! As also the roots of the plant are poisonous and not suitable for consumption.
The berries would be used for fresh juice, jelly compote and jam. However, opinions are divided about the use of the ripe black currants.

The Mahonia aquifolium is a drought tolerant and very strong plant and can survive a drought well.
In their natural habitat they grow in the dry soil of the coniferous forests such as western North America and Canada.
The plant likes to grow in a shady area to partial shade. It is allowed on nutrient-poor soil, the Mahonia has no problems with that. If you want to prune, it is best to do this immediately after flowering. If desired, you can use this to keep the plant compact.
Winter hardiness zone 6b (-20ºC).