Mahonia Cabaret

Mahonia nitens grows wild in China, and Cabaret is a compact selection of it protected by plant breeders' rights. The pinnate, spined leaves sit in bold ruffs along upright stems. After the flowers fade, small blue-grey berries often follow, giving a second point of interest later in the season.

This is an easy shrub to keep. It needs little pruning, though old stems can be shortened in spring to keep it bushy. A mulch of compost each spring suits it, and it takes drier shade under trees where many flowering shrubs would sulk.