Many years ago I purchased a home that had the driveway lined

with Mahonia aquifolium.  I used to curse this plant as I would forever stick myself on the prickly leaves whenever I got in or out of my car.  

How could I have had such disparaging thoughts about this plant as I now rate Mahonia as one of my favorite winter bloomers with their clusters of yellow blooms followed by  dusky blue berries.  I no longer find their prickly leaves nearly as annoying.