Are you looking for a more interesting alternative to the usual thuja for your garden? A great choice is holly mahogany, which certainly deserves your attention.
If you want to have something truly original and durable in your garden, choose attractive mahogany. This evergreen lush shrub is literally a beautiful jewel of any garden. It can be grown as a solitary plant, but it is equally suitable for planting a dense hedge. In addition, it flowers beautifully and has distinctively colored fruits. What does mahogany need to grow and how to grow it?
Mahónie cesmínolistá (Mahonia aquifolium)
This is an interesting evergreen plant that comes from North America. It is very popular for cultivation due to its unpretentiousness and appearance. Everyone is attracted not only by its distinctive leaves, which are decorative all year round, but also by its beautiful flowers. This bushy plant usually grows to a height of 1 to 2 m and if it has everything it needs to grow, it will grow in your garden for many decades.
The shape of the leaves is perfect
Mahogany holly has compound dark green and beautifully glossy leaves with typical spines on the edges. For winter, they are drawn in purple and bronze colors, so they will impress with their appearance all year round.
Unmissable flowers
In spring, usually from April to May, the shrub blooms with stunning yellow flowers arranged in raceme-like panicles. They have a very pleasant smell that attracts various insects, especially bees and butterflies. After flowering, they form dark blue to black berries, which are a favorite food of many birds. In addition, they are edible and beneficial to health.
Location
Mahogany thrives in semi-shady to shady locations, so before planting the plant, choose a place with sufficient shade or only a moderate impact of the sun’s rays. Direct sunlight could unnecessarily damage the mahogany, especially during the hot summer.
Suitable soil
Mahogany will do best in well-drained, moist, calcareous soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It should be rich in humus and well drained, the plant does not like stagnant moisture.
Dressing
Young plants require regular watering, but older bushes are more resistant and undemanding to water. Regular and even watering needs to be observed only during long-term dry weather.
Fertilization
Mahogany trees are not demanding on fertilizing either. It is sufficient to apply the fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season. It should contain a higher proportion of potassium and phosphorus, which will promote the development of the root system and flowering. Compost can also be used.
Cut and multiply
You can propagate the plant yourself during the summer by cuttings. Mahogany trees do not need regular pruning, but occasional removal of dead or excessively long branches will help keep the plant healthy and at the same time sufficiently aesthetically appealing. If you start cutting, always do it after flowering.
Protection from pests
Mahogany is a very resistant plant that is not susceptible to diseases and pests. Occasionally, aphids or whiteflies may appear, which can be treated with commonly available products.
Medicinal fruits and root
Although holly mahogany fruits are quite acidic, they are popular for their healing properties. They are a source of vitamins A, C and also contain soluble fiber pectin, which lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They are loaded with antioxidants that significantly support immunity.
Berries are used to treat common health problems such as colds, flu, reduce mucus production and help with yeast infections, acne, eczema and psoriasis. You can make jams, compotes, but also great wine from the fruits. Mahogany roots contain the alkaloid berberine, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Resources: www.ceskestavby.cz, www.wikipedia.org, www.zahradkaruvrok.cz
