PUSHING THE BORDERS

.....at long last I am the proud owner of a 'Soft Caress' :shock:

I was in Norfolk yesterday to see Kev and whilst there I met up with Simon at Amulree and Liz and Urban Jungle. I came back with quite a haul, not all for my own garden (but plenty that I can divide or take cuttings from for the future ;) ).

Kevin had asked me to pick up a plant from LIz, it was a Mahonia. To my delight it was M. 'Soft Caress', I also got one for myself and a client. Liz has a good selection of these plants, all are extremely healthy, excellent root systems and ready to romp away.

So if anyone is after this plant I can thoroughly recommend the stock at UJ and I am fairly sure they will post.

Pics to follow!

Can I be cheeky and ask how much? Ive been trying to buy one for some time, but they are a bit thin on the ground in Wales

Not cheap at £39.99 but I have to confess they are VERY healthy specimens each with multiple shoots (not just a twig). The roots completely fill their 5 litre pots and the approx height of the plant is 30cm. They have been cut back to encourage side shoots and look all the better for it.

I picked up a good size 5 litre plant from my local independent garden centre, I couldn't believe it when I saw a bench full of them tucked away at the back. I had been looking for one for a whie with no luck apart from a few online nurseries. I picked the largest bushiest one I could find and took it straight to the till, and it was only £16.99 :o

Wish I had bought a couple of them now :roll:


Nick...

I think I paid about £14.00 for a very nice, chunky 'Soft Caress' in 5L pot at my local branch of Otter Nurseries last year. It flowered well over winter and is making plenty of good growth ATM. Regardless of how much you pay, it's a fabulous small shrub and highly compatible with exotics on account of its soft, pinnate foliage and attractive bronzed new growth. I like it even more because it doesn't 'bite' when you brush past.

I have been looking for one of these for ages, they was some talk of them being available in the national garden centres, but no luck round here, although Crocus have them listed out of stock !

Yes, Crucus had it listed as "Available Summer 2013" and I was watching it but it has now changed to "Available Autumn 2013" :evil: