A striking architectural garden shrub mahonia aquifolium will give you year round interest the glossy evergreen foliage is accompanied by acid yellow spring blossom that is followed by blue45black berries in the autumn when the leaves gain a purple flush mahonia leaves are large and prickly making them useful for security planting as they will help deter burglars and also cats a mahonia will spread and is ideal for planting in a shady spot so a great addition to a woodland garden ea