Back to the garden

On my way down through the garden this morning I noticed this mahonia coming into flower. Mahonia duclouxiana Swift 93017, to give it its full name, was collected by my friend Mike Swift in Yunnan some years ago. He told me: 'It was collected just south of the road between Dali and Chuxion. We were looking for Rhododendron moulmainense when I saw this plant full of fruit behind me, so took the opportunity to grab some. I guess it is goat proof hence the fruit still being there.' An upright plant with thick woody stems, it appears to be quite hardy, here at least.