Rough Linen It took me such a long time to track down the source of the heavenly scent in my London garden, because it drifts - 'whence is that goodly fragrance flowing'!

Le jardinet Tricia, I first grew this in England too. I was thrilled to know I could grow it in the Seattle area also

Garbee Architecture I live in zone 7 and have mahonia's around my house. Planting doesn't seem to be a problem as I get volunteers wherever the birds have dropped seeds. They are more than deer resistant. Plant them wherever you don't want dogs or humans to walk. The quills on the leaves are painful to brush against. They seem to grow very tall very quickly and do provide ample flowering.

Le jardinet Garbee, I'm envious! I've never had seedlings from 'Charity'. Or are you referring to one of the other species such as the creeping Mahonia (Mahonia nervosa)?

Garbee Architecture I did some more research after posting my last comment. What I have in my yard is Mahonia bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia). Slightly different than what was discussed in the article. The Leatherleaf has no problem germinating and is a good barrier to trespassers. A good link for info is: http://www.tneppc.org/invasive_plants/205

Le jardinet Garbee - that makes sense. not nearly so well behaved although still attractive

bhelmore This plant will kill your hands and arms with its spiky leaves! Put it somewhere you won't have to fight it or you'll forever regret planting it.

ZH Design Ever since I came across this genus of plants, I have adored them for so many reasons. This cultivar 'Charity' is newer to my use but love it just as much as the others. I have a hard time convincing clients of its wonderful attributes mostly because they can't get past its thorniness, but that shouldn't stop you! At least not in my opinion, though I tend to give in to form over function occasionally. I have seen a little reseeding from the bealei species here in southeast PA but nothing too crazy. On the east coast above zone 7, I recommend planting in the fall when in a more protected location away from the exposure of winds. I've experienced damage to the plants, many times death, due to dessication.

Aaron Reddick You will never see any mahonia growing 10' tall like the author says above. Rarely more than 6' tops.

Le jardinet Actually Aaron I think it must come down to microclimates. In my last garden mine was 8' and still growing strong when we moved. Our younger shrub in our new garden is 6' and seems to grow around 10" a year. I took that data from the well respected Great Plant Picks website where they grow and observe that Mahonia cultivar in the Elizabeth Miller Garden. There is always going to be enormous variance within such a vast area as the Pacific Northwest and even within ones own garden.

janet4784 Just had a restoration ecologist wack back all our 8 year old Oregon grapes. He said they'll really thrive now. I had done minimal pruning, and it sounds like that was a mistake. It is a great wildlife plant.

dafishy I am currently trying to remove a strangely wild offshoot by air layering. Do you think it will work ?

Villa Lagoon Tile It is a fun thing to plant Mahonia right in front of a window that you look out a lot. Mockingbirds LOVE the huge purple berries and will jump all around the tops of the plants in winter, being their usual cocky mockingbird-selves. When they swallow a berry, they look towards the sky. ..loads of entertainment.

Le jardinet dafishy - I've never tried but like you I'd definitely give it a go! I would think if the cane was thin and flexible you may be able to do it. Do let me know!

Ginkgo Leaf Studio In my zone 5 garden I grow 'Compacta' and after 10 years they are still not quite 3' around. Occasionally I get a nice purple fall color on some of the leaves.

Le jardinet I'm not familiar with that cultivar Ginkgo Leaf Studio but if it is well behaved that would be a really useful shrub to include in the garden. Do you happen to know what the species or cross is?

Ginkgo Leaf Studio Karen, well it is well behaved in my garden :), but I have not used it in any client designs (yet). Here is some info:

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1833/compact-oregon-grape-holly.php

Le jardinet Wow - how did I not know about this one? Never seen it here at all but yes that species is one I'm happy to use. I feel a nursery trip in my future! Thanks for the info

lc29 Wish I could grow this in zone 10, this would be a great border to keep people from cutting through.