Can anyone ID this shrub please?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Clare G, Nov 2, 2024 at 12:26 PM.

  1. Clare G

    Clare G Super Gardener

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    A patch of these attractive low-growing evergreen shrubs has been planted within a new area of public landscaping near me - can anyone ID them for me? Say half a metre high, currently covered with spikes of yellow flowers - no fragrance. NB the sinister-looking paw visible bottom left in the last photo is not a Halloween leftover, just my greyhound trying to get in on the act!

    GR shrub 1.jpg

    GR shrub 2.jpg
    GR shrub 3.jpg
     
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    • Palustris

      Palustris Total Gardener

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      Mahonia Soft Caress.
       
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      • Clare G

        Clare G Super Gardener

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        Yes, that looks like it - thank you so much! I'd wondered about mahonias, looking at the flowers, but had never seen one with divided leaves like that. Must see if I can squeeze one in here....
         
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        • CostasK

          CostasK Gardener

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          There are a handful of mahonias with that type of leaf, but Soft Caress is the best known one, probably for good reason. In the past I bought 3 of a different mahonia (Volcano) which looked very similar except the flowers were supposed to be a warmer yellow, so I assumed they were produced from Soft Caress. Turns out that they are a different cultivar. I found them to be too sensitive to both cold and sun, and overall very difficult to keep happy in this climate. Two years later, just one of the three is still alive and even that one has never bloomed as far as I can remember. I wish I had gone for Soft Caress.
           
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