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Photo collage showing different uses of Soft Caress Mahonia

3 Ways to Use Soft Caress Mahonia in Your Garden

  1. Home
  2. 3 Ways to Use Soft Caress Mahonia in Your Garden
  • By Erica Glasener
  • August 6, 2019
Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ is an elegant shrub that offers an ideal choice.

Unlike other mahonias that become large and unruly, ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia is the perfect size– maturing at three to three and a half feet–to grow in decorative pots and, its soft evergreen, almost fern-like, foliage looks good, no matter what the season.

*One thing to note, this mahonia  appears to prefer soils that are not too acidic, so keep this in mind when you locate it in the garden. Adding a small amount of lime (or planting it next to a stone wall) when you plant may just do the trick.   

Try these three ways to use ‘Soft Caress’ in the landscape:

Mahonia Soft Caress in a mixed container with Fatshedera Angyo Star as a statement for your entrance

1. Make a Statement at Your Entrance

If you have a front door that is in a shady spot dress it up with two large containers that feature Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’.

Plant ‘Soft Caress’ with Angyo Star Fatshedera, dark leaf selections of coral bell, Heuchera – and light colored forms of  Heucherella.  Even without flowers, the variety of striking colorful foliage, contrasting both in size and shape, makes for a stunning year round display. When Soft Caress’ blooms in the winter, the yellow flowers are a welcome bonus.

Mahonia Soft Caress has lovely texture that makes for a unique shrub for a shady space

2. Evergreen hedge in the Shade Garden

Maturing at about three feet tall, ‘Soft Caress’ is ideal for a low evergreen hedge or screen in the shade. Plant groups of three or five.

For a contrast, combine it with hostas and ferns like Japanese painted fern or the native Christmas fern.

For a taller mixed evergreen border, add Empress of China® Dogwood, Mountain Snow™ Pieris and Diana™ Camellia.  This will ensure you have blooms during every season. The white flowers of the dogwood and camellia will glow in the shade garden.

Mix spring bulbs with your Soft Caress Mahonia in a bright blue container for a beautiful spring look

3. Combine it with flowering bulbs and bold foliage

Now is the perfect time to refresh your landscape or containers. ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia is one of our favorite plants for the transition from winter to spring. A big bonus – it can withstand those last unexpected frosts that sometimes sneak up before spring fully sets in.

Pair with fragrant bulbs to provide a striking contrast to the delicate mahonia foliage.

Pin it for later!

Three ways to use Soft Caress Mahonia in the landscape: 1. in a spring container, 2. in a entrance container, 3. as a hedge

Erica Glasener

The Southern Living® Plant Collection is proud to offer garden advice and plant care tips from industry expert, Erica Glasener. Erica is an author, lecturer and was an award-winning host of HGTV’s, “A Gardener’s Diary” for 14 years.
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Plants Featured In The article

Pieris

Mountain Snow™ Pieris

Pieris japonica ‘Planow’
Camellia
Close-up on informal double white blooms with yellow centers of Diana Camellia

Diana™ Camellia

Camellia sasanqua ‘TDN 1110’
Dogwood
Close-up on white flowers of Empress of China Dogwood

Empress of China® Dogwood

Cornus angustata ‘Elsbry’ PP14537
Fatshedera

'Angyo Star' Fatshedera

Fatshedera hybrid ‘Angyo Star’
Mahonia

‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia

Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ PP20183

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