Soft Caress Grape Holly

Soft Caress Grape Holly

1 Gallon
$28.90
Sale price  $28.90 Regular price 
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Soft Caress Grape Holly
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Soft Caress Grape Holly

Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'

A compact, spineless mahonia with unique, soft, fern-like foliage and yellow fall flowers, perfect for containers and patios.

$28.90
Sale price  $28.90 Regular price 
Size

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Soft Caress Grape Holly is a revolutionary cultivar that offers all the beauty of mahonia without the sharp spines. Its foliage is composed of very fine, textured, fern-like leaflets that are soft to the touch, making it perfect for planting near walkways. It produces sprays of bright yellow flowers in late summer or fall, followed by blue berries. Its compact, mounding habit and unique texture make it an outstanding choice for containers, shady borders, or Asian-inspired gardens.

  • Spineless, Fern-Like Foliage: The defining feature—long, graceful, pinnate leaves with narrow, soft leaflets that are completely touchable.

  • Compact & Refined Habit: Forms a neat, dense, and symmetrical mound, typically 3-4 feet tall and wide.

  • Late Season Blooms: Flowers in late summer to fall, extending the season of interest.

  • Versatile for Small Spaces & Containers: Its size, texture, and safety make it ideal for patios, entryways, and detailed plantings.

  • Shade Loving & Low Maintenance: Thrives in partial to full shade with minimal care. Deer resistant.

Knowing how we measure the size?

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

  • A larger gallon size generally means:

    • A more established root system

    • A sturdier plant

    • Faster visual impact after planting

  • Example:

    • 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity

    • 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.


🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Ornamental trees

    • Feature plants

    • Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.

  • Why choose Multi:

    • Fuller, more sculptural appearance

    • Strong visual presence even at younger ages

    • Popular for design-focused landscapes


🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Shade trees

    • Street trees

    • Orchard and structural plantings

  • Why choose Stand:

    • Clean, classic tree form

    • Easier clearance for walkways and lawns

    • Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity


🌿 Choosing the Right Size

  • If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form

  • If you want long-term structure → Stand form

  • If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Quick facts
  • Features:Foliage: Finely textured, pinnately compound leaves with narrow, lance-shaped, spineless leaflets. The foliage is deep green on top and lighter green beneath, providing a soft, fern-like appearance unique among Mahonias.Flowers: Bright yellow, fragrant flowers are held in upright, conical clusters (racemes) above the foliage in late summer to fall.Fruit: Produces small, dark blue berries with a whitish bloom, attractive to birds.Habit: A compact, mound-forming, evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded growth habit.
  • Mature Height: 2-3 ft.
  • Mature Width: 3-5 ft.
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Light Needs: Partial to full shade
  • Key Advantages:Uniquely soft, fine texture without sharp spines.Provides late-season flowers when few other plants bloom.Deer resistant.Low maintenance and adaptable to dry shade once established.Excellent for adding texture to shady gardens
  • Landscape Uses:Low border or edging plant in shaded beds.Mass planting for a groundcover effect in dry shade.Container planting for shaded patios.Woodland and Asian-inspired gardens
FAQs

Q: Is it truly soft and non-prickly?
A: Yes. Unlike traditional mahonias, the leaflets are narrow, flexible, and completely lacking sharp spines, making it family and pet-friendly.

Q: How much sun can it take?
A: It prefers partial to full shade. In Zone 9a, protection from hot afternoon sun is crucial. Morning sun with afternoon shade or bright, dappled light all day is ideal. Full sun will scorch the delicate leaves.

Browse online or get recommendations

Shop by collection, or message us with photos and measurements of your space for tailored suggestions.

Place your order & schedule delivery

Choose your trees and preferred delivery window. Most Bay Area orders are delivered within about 10 business days, depending on routing and weather.

We deliver carefully to your property

Our drivers are trained to handle living plants, not just boxes. For many trees, we can set them in place near the planting site.

Grow with our ongoing support

You’ll receive basic care guidelines, and you can always reach out if you’re unsure about watering, fertilizing, or pruning.

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