When first laying eyes on 'Soft Caress' we didn't know this plant was a Mahonia. We thought it might be unique variety of bamboo. Had it been in bloom we would have instantly recognized the genus by the pretty citron-yellow blooms held upright in clusters of "candles" which are typical of Mahonia. When we think of Mahonia, most of us think about holly-like stiff leaves with points on them. But, unlike the poky leaves of other Mahonia varieties, Soft Caress has elongated thread-like, soft-textured leaves that just beg you to touch or "caress" them.