Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’
Mahonia (Oregon Grape) is one of the best-known plants for the Pacific Northwest. These are tough, shade-tolerant shrubs which flower during the winter months thus providing a valuable food source to hummingbirds and insects. Most of us are probably familiar with the native mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium) which can get quite large in the landscape and has sharp, spiky leaves. If you are looking for a gentler mahonia, you might consider ‘Soft Caress’. This is a smaller growing shrub (about 3 or 4 feet) and, as the name implies, the leaves are not sharp and sticky. The narrow, delicate-looking leaflets have a bamboo-like effect. Unlike most mahonia, this one flowers in late summer and early fall. This attractive, shade-loving plant is a great choice for containers or the border. It also looks great in Asian-styled landscapes.
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Common Name: Oregon Grape Botanical Name: Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ Type of Plant: Shrub Hardiness Zone: 7 (0 – 5 degrees) Bloom Time: Late Summer – Early Fall Flowers: Yellow , upright spires Foliage: Evergreen, long, slender, bamboo-like Size: 4 x 4 Growing conditions: Best in partial shade, protection from afternoon sun is recommended in well-drained soil. Pruning: No pruning is necessary with the exception of removing damaged limbs. Wildlife: Hummingbirds like the flowers. Deer Resistant: Yes Uses: Specimen plants, border plants, containers |
