Mahonia x media Winter Sun

Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun' stands out from other varieties with its long inflorescences in spectacular clusters of a soft yellow, produced abundantly and pleasantly scented. While remarkable in winter under its sunny flowering, this large bush also has a very distinctive habit that gives it an exotic and beautiful effect throughout the year. Its long, evergreen and shiny leaves, divided into prickly leaflets, sometimes take on beautiful purplish hues in the cold. This highly structuring plant will bring a verticality that could be described as a bit mischievous to any setting.

Mahonia x media 'Winter Sun belongs to the Berberidaceae family. It is a spontaneous hybrid between the modest-sized Mahonia japonica and the much larger M. lomariifolia, two species respectively native to Japan and China. The 'Winter Sun' cultivar eventually forms a beautiful bush about 3 m (9.8 ft) in all directions. Its growth is quite slow during its first few years, and then accelerates. Growing on a single trunk that tends to become bare over the years, this Mahonia has a weakly spreading, erect habit, supported by sparse branches. The evergreen foliage is composed of long leaves arranged in rosettes on the stems. Reaching a length of 50 cm (19.7 in), they are divided into 21 opposite leaflets along the central vein, on an almost horizontal plane. Each leaflet, lanceolate in shape, has a tough texture and a spiny and undulate edge. The colour of the young foliage is a fairly light green, darkening in summer before taking on more purplish hues in winter. The flowering extends from late autumn (December) to the middle of winter (January-February). The inflorescences are upright to slightly arched, arranged in rosettes at the end of the young stems. These clusters, measuring up to 30 cm (11.8 in), are composed of numerous small campanulate flowers of a tender yellow colour and are nectar-rich. Their scent is somewhat reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley, but lighter. They give way to small blue berries covered with a bloom. They are toxic to humans, but appreciated by birds.

Flowering in the heart of winter, in long yellow panicles, this mahonia becomes the focal point in the garden when other plants are dormant. It will transform a bed or a large shaded rockery. For example, plant it alongside ferns and the blue flowers of hepaticas or bluebells, in cool and shaded areas. To hide the slightly bare base of the bush, consider perennial geraniums, autumn daisies, or evergreen germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), which is truly undemanding. A group of 3 subjects placed in a triangle will create a quite spectacular grove. If placed at the corner of a terrace or porch, it will perfume the air and bring colour close to the house during the bleak days of winter. It also suits planting in a large container on a terrace or balcony, alongside, for example, dwarf bamboo. This Mahonia can also be included in the composition of a mixed hedge, with other evergreen bushes.