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Soft Caress Mahonia
Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' PP20183
Soft Caress Mahonia offers unique, soft-textured foliage and bright yellow blooms, making it ideal for adding elegance and interest to shaded gardens. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant shrub thrives in partial to full shade and provides year-round beauty with minimal care.
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Soft Caress Mahonia Shrubs for Sale Online
Soft Caress Mahonia is an elegant, low-maintenance evergreen shrub that stands out for its finely textured, fern-like foliage. Unlike traditional mahonias with spiny leaves, Soft Caress offers a unique, soft-to-the-touch feel, making it perfect for adding texture and interest to shaded gardens. Growing to a mature height of 3 to 4 feet, this compact shrub produces striking clusters of bright yellow flowers in late fall to early winter, followed by blue-black berries that attract birds, adding seasonal beauty to your landscape. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round interest, making it ideal for shaded borders, woodland gardens, or container plantings.
Thriving in partial to full shade, Soft Caress Mahonia is perfect for areas of the garden where many plants struggle to grow. It performs well in well-drained, moist soil but is also drought-tolerant once established, making it a versatile choice for low-water gardens. This deer-resistant shrub requires minimal care, and its unique texture pairs beautifully with other shade-loving plants like ferns, hostas, and hellebores. Its ability to brighten up darker areas of the garden with its yellow blooms and delicate foliage makes it a standout choice for adding elegance to your outdoor space.
In addition to its visual appeal, Soft Caress Mahonia is a great option for gardeners looking for a hardy, low-maintenance plant. It requires little pruning and is resistant to most pests and diseases. Plant it in USDA zones 7-9, where it thrives in the mild climates of the southeastern and western United States. Whether used as a foundation plant, an accent in mixed borders, or in mass plantings for texture and color, Soft Caress Mahonia offers year-round beauty with minimal effort.
| Hardiness Zone: | 7-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 2.5 to 3 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 3.5 Feet |
| Classification: | Broad leaved evergreen flowering shrub, early winter flowering |
| Sunlight: | Part sun to shade |
| Habit: | Densely branched, mounding |
| Flower Color: | Bright yellow flowers |
| Foliage: | Bamboo like foliage, evergreen |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirement: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed shade border, mass planting, or a specimen planting |
How to Care for Soft Caress Mahonia
After purchasing your Soft Caress Mahonia Plant, be sure to read our recommended care instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come.
How do I plant my Soft Caress Mahonia Plant?
To plant your Soft Caress Mahonia, choose a location with partial to full shade and well-drained, moist soil. This shrub thrives in shady areas where many other plants struggle, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Start by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball to give the roots plenty of room to spread. Place the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, and backfill the hole with soil, gently pressing it down to eliminate air pockets. After planting, water thoroughly to help the roots establish. For best results, add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your Soft Caress Mahonia to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem to prevent rot. During the first growing season, water the plant regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure it develops a strong root system. Once established, Soft Caress Mahonia is relatively drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Its deer-resistant nature, combined with its adaptability to shady areas, makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
How Do water my Soft Caress Mahonia?
Watering your Soft Caress Mahonia properly is crucial to support its lush, delicate foliage and ensure that the shrub remains healthy and vigorous. During the first year after planting, it is important to water Soft Caress Mahonia consistently to help establish a strong root system. Water the shrub deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions, ensuring that the soil remains evenly moist but never waterlogged. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation will deliver water directly to the root zone, which helps prevent the foliage from getting wet and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. Early morning watering is ideal, as it allows time for the plant to absorb moisture before the heat of the day sets in. Once established, Soft Caress Mahonia is moderately drought-tolerant but still requires occasional watering during extended periods of heat or drought. Check the soil regularly by digging down a couple of inches—if the soil feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water again. It is important to avoid overwatering, as Soft Caress Mahonia prefers well-drained soil and can be prone to root rot if left in consistently wet conditions. To help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. With proper watering practices, your Soft Caress Mahonia will thrive, producing attractive, finely-textured foliage and delicate yellow blooms that add elegance to your garden year-round.
When Should I Fertilize My Soft Caress Mahonia?
The best time to fertilize your Soft Caress Mahonia is in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge. Using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, will provide the essential nutrients needed for healthy foliage and robust flower production. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, being careful to avoid direct contact with the stems. Water thoroughly after application to help the nutrients absorb into the soil. This early spring feeding ensures your Soft Caress Mahonia has the energy it needs to thrive throughout the growing season. If desired, you can also apply a second light feeding in mid-summer to encourage continued growth, but this is usually not necessary for Soft Caress Mahonia as it is a low-maintenance plant. In addition to chemical fertilizers, you can use organic compost or well-rotted manure in early spring, which improves soil structure and provides a slow, steady release of nutrients. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to overly vigorous growth at the expense of blooms. By fertilizing at the right time, you will ensure your Soft Caress Mahonia maintains its lush, soft-textured foliage and vibrant yellow blooms year after year.
When Shoulkd I Prune my Mahonia Soft Caress?
The best time to prune your Soft Caress Mahonia is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Pruning during this time encourages healthy growth and helps maintain the plant’s compact, attractive shape. Begin by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, cutting them back to the base of the plant. You can also lightly trim the outer branches to shape the plant and control its size. Soft Caress Mahonia typically requires minimal pruning, as it maintains a naturally graceful form, but regular trimming helps promote denser foliage and more vibrant blooms. If your Soft Caress Mahonia becomes overgrown or you want to encourage bushier growth, you can perform a light pruning after the blooming season in late winter or early spring. Be careful not to cut too far back into old wood, as mahonias do not regrow well from older stems. Pruning after flowering will allow the plant to focus on producing new shoots and preparing for the next blooming cycle. By pruning at the right time and removing only what is necessary, your Soft Caress Mahonia will remain healthy and continue to produce its signature soft-textured foliage and bright yellow blooms each season.
