Mahonia 'Soft Touch'- I think I'm in love. And Weigela.
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:24 pm
So, today I was at Lowe's. Lord help me- I can NOT afford a single additional plant this year!
However, I found a big Weigela marked down to $3 bucks. Although it looked scraggly as all get out and I know zilch about Weigela except how nice they look in the spring as I drive by, there were lots of little sprouts around the center of the plant and the tips of the long branches were green. I'm taking a stab in the dark and feeling like this will be an easy plant to rejuvenate. Any suggestions? I could look it up, but heck- asking a bunch of bamboo maniacs is so much more fun.
Another section had plants in very decent shape at 50% off. I admired the Pieris and then the Leather leaf Mahonia, reminiscing about the one I had planted several years ago when I had more acreage, more money, and was on a quest to acquire a plant of every shape, size, color, and texture under the sun. As I brushed away my longings for yesteryear and was given a sharp prick in the finger in thanks, I spotted a most unusual plant 3 or 4 aisles over. Even though I was just about to faint away in the 90 degree heat and was basically ready to leave, I had to go examine it.
Ironically, it was another Mahonia. Mahonia 'Soft Touch'. I am in awe. Do a google image search. It has a delicate, almost bamboo-like texture. The leaves aren't thick and leathery like the Oregon Grape Holly. This made me question whether it too would be evergreen. I scoured the tag for that bit of information. Luckily, it wasn't to be found or I would have shoved it under my shirt and made a mad dash for it. Come to find out, it is! An awesome, evergreen, bamboo-like plant that works in shade or part-shade. I reasoned that such a beautiful plant would be available in seasons to come. Looking it up it looks like it won Top Prize at the RHS's Chelsea flower show a year or two back. I will definitely be buying this next year, extending my bamboo theme into the shadiest parts of my property. Check it out!
However, I found a big Weigela marked down to $3 bucks. Although it looked scraggly as all get out and I know zilch about Weigela except how nice they look in the spring as I drive by, there were lots of little sprouts around the center of the plant and the tips of the long branches were green. I'm taking a stab in the dark and feeling like this will be an easy plant to rejuvenate. Any suggestions? I could look it up, but heck- asking a bunch of bamboo maniacs is so much more fun.
Another section had plants in very decent shape at 50% off. I admired the Pieris and then the Leather leaf Mahonia, reminiscing about the one I had planted several years ago when I had more acreage, more money, and was on a quest to acquire a plant of every shape, size, color, and texture under the sun. As I brushed away my longings for yesteryear and was given a sharp prick in the finger in thanks, I spotted a most unusual plant 3 or 4 aisles over. Even though I was just about to faint away in the 90 degree heat and was basically ready to leave, I had to go examine it.
Ironically, it was another Mahonia. Mahonia 'Soft Touch'. I am in awe. Do a google image search. It has a delicate, almost bamboo-like texture. The leaves aren't thick and leathery like the Oregon Grape Holly. This made me question whether it too would be evergreen. I scoured the tag for that bit of information. Luckily, it wasn't to be found or I would have shoved it under my shirt and made a mad dash for it. Come to find out, it is! An awesome, evergreen, bamboo-like plant that works in shade or part-shade. I reasoned that such a beautiful plant would be available in seasons to come. Looking it up it looks like it won Top Prize at the RHS's Chelsea flower show a year or two back. I will definitely be buying this next year, extending my bamboo theme into the shadiest parts of my property. Check it out!