| Common Name: | ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia |
| Botanical Name: | Berberis (formerly Mahonia) eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ |
| Family: | Berberidaceae |
| Plant Type: | Shrub, evergreen |
| Mature Size: | 3-5 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure: | Partial to full shade |
| Soil Type: | Average, dry to medium, well-drained |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline (7.5-8.5) |
| Bloom Time: | Late Fall, Winter |
| Flower Color: | Yellow |
| Hardiness Zones: | 7-10 (USDA) |
| Native Area: | China |
| Toxicity: | Non-toxic to people and pets |
‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia Care
With good drought tolerance and a penchant for shady sites, ‘Soft Caress’ makes a great selection for dry shade gardens. This graceful shrub provides lush texture when planted in mass in the woodland garden and stands on its own as an accent. Use it to lend an Asian feel to any garden or pair it with bold foliage plants like hosta and brunnera for textural contrast. ‘Soft Caress’ also performs well in containers where it pairs well with heuchera and golden carex.
Light
‘Soft Caress’ thrives in dappled sun. It tolerates full morning sun but benefits from afternoon shade. Plants also perform well under full shade, but flowering may be reduced.
Soil
They perform best in moist but well-drained soil, high in organic matter and with an alkaline pH.
Water
Mahonias are drought tolerant once established but prefer consistent moisture. Water plants deeply and regularly during the first year as roots establish. In subsequent years, plants will grow well with rainfall, but may need supplemental irrigation during hot, dry spells. Container-grown plants require more frequent irrigation.
Temperature And Humidity
‘Soft Caress’ tolerates the heat and humidity of our Southern climate but needs shade to thrive. Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain soil moisture and modify soil temperatures.
Fertilizer
Feed plants in early spring with a balance (e.g. 10-10-10) fertilizer according to label rates.
Types of ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia
This unique form of mahonia produces soft, feathery foliage unlike any other mahonia. ‘Soft Caress’ was discovered in 2001 by ItSaul Plants, LLC of Georgia as a naturally occurring whole-plant mutation among seedlings grown from seed. The species originates in central and southern China. ‘Soft Caress’ was designated “Plant of the Year” in 2013 at the Chelsea Flower Show for its exceptional foliage. There are currently no other cultivars of Berberis eurybracteata commercially available.
How To Plant ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia in the Garden
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is available from garden centers and online retailers as potted plants that are easy to transplant to the garden. Early fall or early spring are ideal times to plant mahonia. Space plants three feet apart for mass planting. Use a wider spacing when planting as an accent. ‘Soft
Caress’ mahonia needs well-draining alkaline soil. Amend soil with compost to improve drainage and adjust pH as needed prior to planting.
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Water potted plants well before transplanting to prevent roots from drying out during the planting process.
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Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball. This allows you to spread the root system.
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Gently remove your ‘Soft Caress’ plant from its pot and loosen the roots.
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Set plants only deep enough such that their root collars (where branches meet the root system) are level with or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
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Fill the planting hole with the same soil you removed (not purchased topsoil), pressing it down gently with your hand.
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Water plants thoroughly and apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch, leaving a small ring around the stem free of mulch.
Pruning ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is slow growing and does not require a great deal of pruning to maintain its attractive form. Plants can be thinned every three or four years to promote lush new growth. Simply remove up to one third of the stems in late winter after plants finish flowering, cutting them back to the base. Remove any damaged or broken limbs when you notice them.
How To Get ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia To Bloom
Mahonias are vigorous shrubs that typically need no help to flower. However, some gardeners have reported a lack of blooms when ‘Soft Caress’ plants are grown under too much shade. Strive to provide at least two to four hours of sun each day. Pruning at the wrong time of year can also reduce flowering. Mahonias bloom on the previous season’s growth, commonly called old wood. Pruning plants after the flower buds have formed removes potential blooms. When needed, time pruning just after plants finish flowering, in late winter to early spring to ensure the next season’s flower buds aren’t removed.
Overwintering
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia planted in the ground can tolerate temperatures down to 0°F. Evergreen shrubs like mahonia benefit from protection against strong winter winds to avoid desiccation, particularly in the colder regions of its range. This is best addressed through site selection at planting time. Make sure plants are well watered going into fall and winter months, and apply a thin layer of mulch to moderate soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
Potted plants are not as well insulated against the cold and can be damaged when temperatures drop below 25°F. Potted plants can be brought indoors during cold snaps into a cool location such as a basement or unheated garage. In areas with colder winters, potted mahonia can be overwintered indoors in a warm location with indirect light.
Propagating ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is patent-protected and cannot be propagated.
Potting And Repotting ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia
Given its compact form and slow growth, ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is well suited to life in containers. The evergreen foliage and yellow blooms provide a warm winter welcome in porch planters. Select frost-proof containers if plants will be wintered outdoors. Be sure containers have drainage holes and select a potting mix that promotes drainage. Evaluate the size of the root ball and select a container large enough to give the plant a little room to grow into, but not too much extra space. Repot ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia every two to three years into larger containers and fresh soil, selecting a container one to two sizes larger than the current pot.
Container-grown mahonias perform best with morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light all day. Containers dry out faster than plants in the ground, so be sure to water containers deeply when the upper two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize potted mahonia with a water-soluble fertilizer according to label directions from spring through mid-summer.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Like most mahonia species, ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia does not experience any serious insect or disease problems. Plants are rather pest-resistant, though can be affected by leaf spots or rust on occasion. Watering plants at the base, rather than overhead watering, can help prevent these foliar diseases. If problems do occur, remove and dispose of infected foliage. Fungicide treatment is seldom needed.
Common Problems
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia planted in exposed locations can experience winter damage due to desiccation by dry winter winds. Site plants where they will be protected from cold northerly wind. Mahonia plants do not perform well with too much water or on poorly drained soil. Excess water can cause leaves to droop or drop. Adjust irrigation practices accordingly.
