Soft Caress Mahonia

Light Needs

Part Shade to Part Sun

(3-6 Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3 Feet

Mature Spread

3.5 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 9

Soft Caress Mahonia is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its finely textured, bamboo-like foliage and low-maintenance beauty. Unlike other mahonias with sharp, spiny leaves, Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' features soft, slender foliage that is gentle to the touch, making it perfect for family-friendly gardens. It grows about 3 feet tall and 3 to 3.5 feet wide, forming a compact evergreen shrub with a relaxed, layered shape. In fall to winter, clusters of fragrant bright yellow flowers bloom above the foliage, followed by attractive blue berries that provide seasonal interest and food for wildlife. 

This Southern Living selection was introduced for its spineless foliage, compact habit, and distinctive shade performance. Soft Caress Mahonia is slow growing, disease resistant, pest resistant, and water-wise once established. It won the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year award in 2013 for its foliage and form. Plant it as a specimen, mass planting, container shrub, shaded foundation accent, slope planting, or Asian-inspired garden feature.

Soft Caress Mahonia Care

Plant Soft Caress Mahonia in part shade to shade, with morning sun or filtered light supporting better flowering than deep shade. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is preferred, and drainage is more important than heavy fertility.

Water deeply after planting, and keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season. Established plants tolerate dry spells, but summer watering during heat helps prevent leaf drop and keeps the foliage fresh. Fertilize yearly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or compost worked lightly over the root zone. Mulch 1 to 2 inches deep to conserve moisture, keeping the mulch away from the stems.

Prune Soft Caress Mahonia in late winter to early spring after flowering has finished. Remove damaged stems or thin a few older stems at the base to refresh the plant without changing its natural shape. In colder Zone 7 gardens, give it shelter from winter wind, and move container plants to a protected location during hard cold snaps.

Soft Caress Mahonia Spacing

Space Soft Caress Mahonia 3 to 4 feet apart for mass plantings, shaded borders, or low evergreen groupings. Allow 4 feet when using it as a specimen so the arching foliage has room to spread. For containers, choose a pot at least 16 to 20 inches wide with drainage holes, and water when the top 2 inches of potting mix begin to dry.

Use Soft Caress Mahonia beneath camellia or rhododendrons for a winter interest planting in filtered light. Hellebores and barrenwort can cover the lower layer, flowering early and matching the same preference for shade and drained soil. In containers, add fuchsia or dead nettle near the rim for seasonal color around the mahonia’s evergreen foliage.

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