Mahonia nitens Volcano

Mahonia Vulcano ('MYOY') is a sensational hybrid variety. It is a small evergreen bush that brings a new texture to the garden with its dense habit and an appearance reminiscent of both a fern and a sacred bamboo. Its dark green, glossy, and finely cut foliage is non-prickly and is adorned with yellow-orange flowers that emerge from orange buds from late summer, providing a unique display in the garden until autumn. This undemanding variety adapts to all moist soils, even limestone ones, in non-scorching sun or partial shade.

Mahonia Vulcano ('MYOY') is a horticultural variety derived from Mahonia nitens, with orange flowers, its second parent being Mahonia confusa (syn. M. eurybracteata) or the subspecies M. eurybracteata ssp. ganpinensis, according to sources. All these plants belong to the Berberidaceae family. In nature, Asian mahonias are very hardy plants that preferably grow in the shade of forests and undergrowth, and in thickets on rocky slopes up to 2000m (6562ft) altitude. This variety has a compact and rounded habit, reaching a height of 1.5m (5ft) with a spread of 1m (3ft) at the age of 15-20 years. Its growth rate is rather slow. Its evergreen foliage is exceptional: its slightly arched leaves, which can reach 60cm (24in) long, are divided into 18 to 23 narrow and long leaflets of a glossy dark olive-green colour, and are equipped with very small spines on their dentate edges. They can turn red in winter due to the cold. This variety flowers from August to November, displaying beautiful spikes with a mix of coppery-orange buds and bright yellow flowers, which are slightly fragrant. This flowering attracts pollinating insects. The flowers are followed by the formation of black-blue berries measuring 4 to 6mm (1in) in diameter, which ripen from April to June. Birds love them. Humans can consume the fruits once cooked, in the form of excellent jellies.

Vulcano is an ideal plant in Asian or exotic-inspired gardens and looks magnificent in a large pot on an urban patio. It completely renews the use we could have of Mahonias. Create an unusual scene, in partial shade, with nandina, Mexican orange trees, evergreen ferns, and fritillaries. In winter, mahonia foliage can be used to create beautiful bouquets, but it should be avoided during severe frost.