In February, it's time for Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape Holly) to bloom again and delight us with its fragrance. But watch out for the prickly foliage!
This evergreen shrub's yellow flowers transform to blue-black edible grape-like berries later in the season. Inside the berries are seeds that account for the new plants you might find in your landscape years after planting. I wouldn't call it invasive, but it is plentiful.
I prune mahonia vigorously during and after flowering to produce a more compact, lush form.
