{"product_id":"mahonia-soft-caress","title":"Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet the plant\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' is the mahonia for people who thought they disliked mahonias. In place of the usual holly-like spines it has soft, thread-fine evergreen leaflets that give it an almost bamboo or palm-like look. It was named Plant of the Year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013, and it has kept its popularity since.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness and seasons\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is rated H4, so it is hardy across much of the country but appreciates a sheltered position out of the coldest, most exposed spots. The foliage is evergreen and looks good all year. Slender spikes of yellow, honey-scented flowers open in late summer and autumn, a valuable late source of nectar for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ebees\u003c\/a\u003e, and these are followed by small blue-black berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is at its best in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003epartial shade\u003c\/a\u003e or gentle sun, in fertile soil that holds some moisture but still drains freely. A sheltered border, a shady courtyard or a large container all work well, and the fine foliage earns it a place as a quiet \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural plant\u003c\/a\u003e. Expect a rounded, upright shape of around 1 to 1.5m in height and spread over several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGetting it established\u003c\/strong\u003e: Water regularly through the first year so the roots establish, and keep it out of drying wind and hard frost pockets while young. It needs little pruning, though you can shorten stems after flowering to keep it bushy. A spring mulch keeps the roots cool and fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom our nursery\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003eGrown outdoors\u003c\/a\u003e in a 15cm pot and properly hardened off, ready to plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"15cm \/ 1.5L","offer_id":58184454340991,"sku":"MAHSOFT15","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_2affc401-ba16-4b12-b49e-1c3fa743b88e.jpg?v=1787934780","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/mahonia-soft-caress","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}