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| MAHONIA |  |
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MAHONIA often known as the Oregon Grape has edible fruits, the size of a blackcurrant which can be used for jam, juice, or eaten raw. Some of the North American Tribes used them to treat loss of appetite and digestive problems. The root bark can also be used as a blood tonic, and the harvested roots as a gentle and safe laxative. The Mahonia fruit can also be used for a purple dye, a green dye made from from the leaves and a yellow dye from the inner bark of the stem. Apart from its culinary uses, it is a handsome plant. The foliage has glossy spiky leaves and the yellow flowers appear from January to May and are delicately scented. There are several different species, Charity and Lionel Fortesque being the most popular. Mahonias look at their best when massed or part of a shrubbery where the scent will waft on a sunny winters day. The flowers are best viewed from above, so when planting think how best to achieve this aspect of the plant either from a window or the top of a bank. BOTANICAL FAMILY: Berberidacae DISTRIBUTION: Western N. America. Naturialized in Britain HARDINESS: Fully hardy. Preferred conditions: Full or partial shade and can accomodate sandy, loamy and heavy clay soils. |
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SPECIALIST NURSERIES Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery |
Architectural Plants
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