Getting up close and personal with a real softie

There's one plant I've been glad to get to know and learn more about over the past few weeks - one of those 'nuggets' I mentioned in my first blog post

No longer at arm's length or admired from afar!...A Mahonia with all the beauty and interest of its predecessors but with an appearance and 'soft touch' that gives this unique variety its alluring name. Who wouldn't want to own a Mahonia 'Soft Caress'? And that's before you've even set eyes on it! A pleasure to handle and interact with as the first with spine-free leaves, it's no wonder this plant was awarded “Plant of the Year” at Chelsea Flower Show 2013, an accolade that's tough to beat for a 'newbie' in the marketplace. This candidate and its competition rivals are discussed here.

For those who have come into contact with; or who are in frequent contact with Mahonias, you will know just what a breakthrough this soft leaved variety is.

Image taken from RHS website.

Its unique, 'painless' characteristics of course bring with it a multitude of other advantages – opening up a whole host of possibilities with regards to positioning. Bring it to the foreground and show it off next to a pathway or in a large pot by the doorway – being scratched to pieces is no longer a fear and that should be overtly celebrated in my opinion! Compact and evergreen it goes far to meet all the requirements of a 'well behaved', desirable plant, providing interest year round in sunny or partially shady spot.

Of course it isn't just the unusual, delicate ferny foliage that draws the plant fanatic in - spikes of fragrant lemon yellow flower blooms in summer are followed by striking spherical blue berries in autumn for extended interest. Put this beauty to bed in a moderately fertile, humus rich well drained soil in your own garden and it's sure to be 'the plant of your year' - just as it is mine.

As you can tell from my above ramblings, even the amateur that I consider myself to be can appreciate the merits of this plant, just as the most knowledgeable horticultural institution has. You know a plant has really made it when it is universally admired - by anyone and everyone.