Mahonia

[Mary]

After reading on one of the BF threads that bluetits like Mahonia flowers in winter, we put 2 plants in a short length of new hedge last winter. One of them has flowers already, and the female blackcap has taken to them!! Thanks to all who recommended them:flowers

[robinm]

The Blue Tits are on our Mahonia flowers as I write this.

[Jodd]

I've been intending to get a Mahonia, is there any recommendation on the best one to get for wildlife value?

Many thanks
Jo

[Mary]

The 2 we planted were Mahonia x media Charity and M. Winter Sun. It's the first one that has flowered already, so I'd recommend that one. Reckon they'd also make an anti-burglar hedge, they're that prickly!

[florall]

Ours is x media Charity as well, and has attracted blue tits. I've yet to see a blackcap on it, but I live in hope.

[willowa]

After reading on one of the BF threads that bluetits like Mahonia flowers in winter, we put 2 plants in a short length of new hedge last winter. One of them has flowers already, and the female blackcap has taken to them!! Thanks to all who recommended them:flowers

We planted a Mahonia charity about two years ago this is the first year it flowerd. We had a female Blackcap for the first time eating the flowers. Our Blue
Tits leave it alone.
We also planted Pyracantha,Red hot pokers and lycesteria all get eaten by verious species. We are going to plant hawthorn in spring.

[Marmot]

Make that another one for Mahonia Charity, we got our first Blackcaps in it a few years back and BT is a regular visitor. We even managed to put a roosting pocket in it and a Wren started making it up as a potential nesting site, unfortunatly his young lady must have found something better.

[James Blake]

Mahonia is a favourite with Blackcaps here too. Don't know what variety we've got.

[Jodd]

Thanks for all the advice - looks like Mahonia Charity sounds like a good one to buy.

Cheers
Jo