PLANT OF THE WEEK

If you think of mahonias as dull, prickly evergreens, take a look at Charity. This unusually architectural plant grows into a tidy group of distinctly upright stems, decorated with evenly spaced and geometric-shaped, leathery evergreen leaves that are divided into leaflets. And right now it’s in flower – from the end of each stem shoots a starburst of bright yellow flowers in long, lean sprays.

More spectacular still is the variety called Lionel Fortescue, which has even longer sprays of flowers, though the plant doesn’t make such a neat upright shape. Unlike most mahonias these two flower early, from December until March-ish, so they’re at their peak now. What’s more, their flowers are quite strongly scented, which comes as a treat. Both are happiest in light shade, and aren’t fussy about soil type. Plant in April or September for best results.