Creeping Barberry (Mahonia repens)

Creeping Barberry

(Mahonia repens)

Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 | Uploader: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Berberis_(Mahonia)_repens_(3626416094).jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description={{en|1=''Ophiopogon planiscapus'', Aizu area, Fukushima pref., Japan}} {{ja|1=オオバジャノヒゲ福島県会津地方}} |Source=Qwert1234's file |Author=Qwert1234 |Date=2013-07-28 |Permission= |oth

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Mahonia repens, commonly known as Creeping Barberry or Creeping Oregon Grape, is an evergreen subshrub native to the understory of coniferous forests in the Western and Central United States, extending into Canada. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands and forest edges, particularly in regions with pine dominance. This plant typically reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 2-4 feet. It features pinnate leaves with spiny leaflets that turn bronze in the fall, adding seasonal interest. The bright yellow flowers bloom in mid-spring and are followed by attractive, matte blue berries in early summer. The berries are not only ornamental but also provide food for birds.

Creeping Barberry is valued for its adaptability and year-round interest, making it a favorite for natural landscaping, drought-tolerant gardens, and wildlife habitats. It serves as an excellent low-water ground cover, especially in shaded areas or under oak trees where irrigation might harm mature trees. Its foliage and berries are deer-resistant, which is beneficial in areas with high deer populations. In cultivation, it performs well in a range of light conditions, from full sun to full shade, and prefers well-drained soils. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. It is also frost-hardy and can withstand cold temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Subshrub, Shrub
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 2-4 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Understory of coniferous forests and forest edges, including regions with pine dominance

Other Names

Common Names: Creeping Mahonia, Creeping Oregon Grape, Prostrate Barberry

Scientific Names: , Mahonia repens, Berberis repens, Berberis aquifolium var. repens, Berberis aquifolium subsp. repens, Berberis aquifolium f. repens, Mahonia pumila, Berberis pumila, Berberis amplectens, Berberis nana

GBIF Accepted Name: Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G.Don