I've got skimmia in a shady, cold and quite exposed spot- it does very well, with lovely flowers and berries.
My new addition sarcococca is also settling in well to the same north side of my small garden- I'm aware it may not have as many flowers and berries aif one in a less shady spot though.
I've never been keen on Mahonia's but if I were to buy one I would go for the 2013 RHS plant of the year - Mahonia 'Soft Caress'... this is said to be suitable for shade and windy conditions yet it's leaves are entirely different being soft and ferny, not thorny.... hopefully will be more readily available this coming season.... it looks to have a great future I think....
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You know me Verdun, I love hollies, and there's lots of lovely varieties available http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-25168895
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've got skimmia in a shady, cold and quite exposed spot- it does very well, with lovely flowers and berries.
My new addition sarcococca is also settling in well to the same north side of my small garden- I'm aware it may not have as many flowers and berries aif one in a less shady spot though.
I've never been keen on Mahonia's but if I were to buy one I would go for the 2013 RHS plant of the year - Mahonia 'Soft Caress'... this is said to be suitable for shade and windy conditions yet it's leaves are entirely different being soft and ferny, not thorny.... hopefully will be more readily available this coming season.... it looks to have a great future I think....
I've seen Soft Caress in the local GC recently - it looks a pretty thing, but without the architectural qualities of M. japonica as far as I can tell.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.