This time of year sees the flowering of one of my favourite plants in our garden. This is a plant that thrives while so much around it is dying off. Normally we can’t see a great deal of it because a couple of Weigelia shrubs have climbed all over it and use it for support. But in the autumn the flower spikes appear over the top of everything else, and gradually turn to a lovely bright yellow. I’ve no idea what this plant is called, we were given it many years ago, and it has thrived well in a mixed (jungle) area of shrubs. It stands about twelve feet high, and covers a wide area within these shrubs. The leaves are very spiky, almost thistle-like.
About Paul Sibley
Andrew Gosden (now 18) has been missing from his Doncaster home since 14 September 2007. The search continues.
Elizabeth Jackson on 
What a lovely photo. The plant is called a mahonia. There are two varieties but I don’t know which one is yours.
Thanks Linda. It’s good to see you taking the plunge and commenting on the blog; much appreciated and welcome.
I don’t think I ever knew what the name of it was; always thought of it as “that spiky plant”. Now the question is, will I remember?