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Berberis repens

creeping mahonia

Berberidaceae Western North America

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade – Full Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Creeping mahonia is a low, spreading evergreen shrub in the barberry family, growing 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall and spreading 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide by underground rhizomes. The leathery, pinnate leaves are divided into three to seven holly-like leaflets with spiny-toothed edges, blue-green to dull green in summer and turning bronze to purple-red in cold winter sun. In mid-spring it bears small clusters of bright yellow flowers held among the foliage, faintly fragrant and followed by clusters of dusty blue-black berries by late summer. The berries are tart and edible and draw birds. Berberis repens spreads steadily to form a low evergreen mat, slowly covering ground beneath trees and shrubs, though it can creep beyond its spot over time. It tolerates dry shade, poor soil, and cold once established, but new plantings need regular water until rooted. The spiny leaflets make it awkward to weed among, the main trade-off for its tough, weed-suppressing cover.

Native Range

Native to western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south through the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin to the southwestern United States. Berberis repens grows in dry coniferous forests, on slopes, and in rocky, open woodland.

Suggested Uses

Used as an evergreen groundcover for shaded banks, woodland gardens, and the front of shrub borders, and for erosion control on slopes. Its rhizomes bind soil while the low foliage suppresses weeds. It also suits native, wildlife, and dry-shade plantings where little else covers the ground.

How to Identify

Identified by low, spreading mats of leathery, holly-like pinnate leaves with spiny margins, blue-green in summer and bronze-purple in winter. Yellow spring flower clusters and later dusty blue-black berries with a waxy bloom confirm it. Its low, creeping habit separates it from the taller, upright Berberis aquifolium, which can reach several feet.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'6"

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Blooms in mid-spring, usually April to May, with small clusters of yellow flowers among the leaves. The flowers carry a faint scent and are worked by early bees. Dusty blue-black berries follow through summer and persist into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

blue-green, bronze-purple in winter

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full shade, and tolerates full sun in cooler climates, in well-drained soil with a pH from 5.5 to 7.0. Established plants take dry shade, poor soil, and cold, but young plantings need steady water through the first season to root in. A mulch of leaf litter or bark keeps the shallow rhizomes cool and conserves moisture. It needs no routine feeding and spreads on its own once settled. Plants can be lifted and divided in spring, or rooted suckers can be moved to start new patches. Hot, dry sun without shelter can scorch and bronze the foliage more than is wanted.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed beyond removing winter-burned or stray stems in early spring. Plants can be sheared low after flowering to keep the mat dense and even. Rhizomes that creep past their bounds are dug out to contain the spread.