deep shade/ mahonia
The original post mentioned that mahonia did well, but was
slow-growing and very expensive, so something else was needed. We
have a couple of species of mahonia native here, and they spread via
the roots. Actually, a lot of our woodland shrubs do that. I guess
if they get themselves into shade too deep for good flower and seed
production, they can still expand their territory. Don't they do
that back East? I would think there would be someone in your area
who doesn't want all the suckers of their mahonia, and you could dig
some up for free.
Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8 Sunset zone 5, cool mediterranean climate
where today it is below freezing and I need to refill my hummingbird
feeder - I just went out and a hummingbird is sitting in the bamboo
near it, making little noises that probably mean "Feed me". It also
gets nectar from the nearby Mahonia "Charity" that has been flowering
for the past month, and maybe from the winter jasmine that also is
blooming in the same area, though I haven't seen hummers actually
feeding from it. I guess I should stand out there for a while and
watch.
