{"product_id":"mahonia-media-charity-20-litre-pot-80-100cm-september-delivery","title":"Mahonia media Charity 20 Litre Pot 80\/100cm September Delivery","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMahonia × media 'Charity' – Bold Evergreen Shrub with Fragrant Winter Flowers\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMahonia × media\u003c\/em\u003e 'Charity' is a stately, architectural evergreen shrub prized for its dramatic presence and outstanding winter performance. Its long, pinnate leaves – composed of sharply toothed, holly-like leaflets – radiate boldly from upright stems, creating a striking silhouette that commands attention in any planting scheme. Few shrubs offer such structural impact throughout every season of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom late autumn through to late winter, long, upright-to-spreading racemes of bright, lemon-yellow flowers emerge from the stem tips, filling the surrounding air with a rich, lily-of-the-valley fragrance. These blooms are exceptionally valuable to early-emerging pollinators during the colder months. As the flowers fade, clusters of blue-black berries develop, providing a welcome food source for garden birds well into spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA vigorous, upright evergreen shrub, 'Charity' typically develops a tall, architectural form over time, with bold foliage carried on strong, unbranched stems that gradually build into a substantial multi-stemmed specimen. Growth is reliable and steady, adding meaningful presence to the garden year on year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThrives in partial to full shade, making it one of the most valuable shrubs for difficult shaded positions. Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter, but will adapt to a range of soil types including dry shade once established. Fully hardy, though shelter from cold, desiccating winds will protect both foliage and flower quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Mahonia × media 'Charity'?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFragrant Winter Flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e – Long racemes of bright yellow blooms from late autumn through winter, with a sweet, penetrating fragrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBold Architectural Foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e – Large, glossy pinnate leaves provide dramatic structure and evergreen presence throughout the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThrives in Shade\u003c\/strong\u003e – One of the finest choices for deep shade or north-facing positions where flowering shrubs rarely succeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value\u003c\/strong\u003e – Early flowers support pollinators in winter; berries feed birds in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFully Hardy \u0026amp; Low Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e – Reliable and resilient once established, requiring very little ongoing attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePosition \u0026amp; Soil\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAspect:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial to full shade is ideal; tolerates dappled sun but foliage and flowers are best in a sheltered, shaded spot. Avoid exposed, windy positions that can scorch the large leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Incorporate generous amounts of well-rotted compost or leaf mould at planting to improve moisture retention and fertility. Tolerates a range of soil types, including clay and dry shade, once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly and thoroughly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once settled, 'Charity' is tolerably drought-resistant, though it will perform best where soil moisture is maintained during prolonged dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to support healthy growth. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually improve soil structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimal pruning is required. If stems become bare and leggy over time, cut individual stems back hard after flowering to encourage fresh growth from the base. Alternatively, remove the lower leaves progressively to create an attractive, tree-like multi-stemmed form that suits more formal or contemporary planting designs. Avoid heavy pruning in autumn, which may reduce the following winter's flower display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Planting Ideas\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse as a bold specimen in a shaded border or woodland garden for year-round architectural impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in groups to create an informal evergreen screen or naturalistic understorey planting beneath large trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with other shade-loving evergreens such as \u003cem\u003eSarcococca\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSkimmia\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eViburnum davidii\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnderplant with hellebores, snowdrops, and early-flowering bulbs for a layered winter and early spring display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent for north-facing gardens, shaded courtyards, or woodland edges where winter interest is often difficult to achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57102524285254,"sku":"173034","price":126.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/mahonia-media-charity-20-litre-pot-80-100cm-september-delivery","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}