Mahonia soft caress is an evergreen shrub that is native to China. The leaves are pinnate and have up to 9 leaflets. The flowers are small and yellow, and they bloom in clusters. The fruit is a blackberry-like drupe.
Related plant:
Mahonia Bealei
Related plant:
Leatherleaf Mahonia
About soil condition, mahonia soft caress grows well in average, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. In full sun to part shade, it prefers a moist, rich soil, but it will tolerate some degree of drought.
Just like other members of the Mahonia Family, the Mahonia Soft Caress requires sun to partial sun in order to grow and prosper. The sun helps the plant to produce the chlorophyll that it needs to perform photosynthesis and create food for the plant. Without sun, the plant will not be able to produce the food it needs to survive and will eventually die.
The temperature was perfect for a picnic. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing. The flowers in the field were nodding in the breeze, as if they were swaying to a song that only they could hear. The trees were rustling in the wind, as if they were whispering secrets to each other. The grass was soft and gentle, like a mother's touch.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the leaves may start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity rises above 60%, the leaves may start to turn yellow and drop off.
About fertilizer, this plant does best with a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. A slow-release fertilizer is best, but you can also use a liquid fertilizer. Be sure to fertilize regularly during the growing season. As for the roots, this plant has a taproot system.
Pruning your Mahonia soft caress is important to keep it looking its best. You'll want to remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any that are growing in an unwanted direction. You can also prune to shape the plant or to control its size. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears and make clean cuts.
Propagation is best done in early spring, by taking softwood cuttings. Cuttings should be taken from new growth, and should be around 10-15cm in length. The cuttings should be placed in a pot filled with a free-draining propagating mix, and covered with a plastic bag or propagating dome to maintain humidity. Cuttings should be kept moist, but not wet, and should be allowed to root in a warm, bright location. Once roots have developed, the plants can be transplanted into pots filled with a good quality potting mix.
Usually, the plant growth rate when they are first planted, but then they will need little to no supplemental water. They are quite tolerant of heat and can even survive in cool weather. The plant can reach a height of 6 to 12 feet and a width of 4 to 8 feet. If you are looking for a fast growing privacy hedge, this is not the plant for you.
Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf spots, powdery mildew, and root rot. The best way to avoid these problems is to plant in well-drained soil and to water only when the soil is dry. If you see any of these problems on your plant, you can treat them with fungicide.
Source:
Soft Caress Chinese Mahonia - UC Landscape Plant Irrigation
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: MahoniaUC IPM - ucanr.edu
Mahonia | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University
