Plant Family
Barberry Family (Berberidaceae)
Common Names
Ash barberry
Creeping barberry
Creeping holly grape
Creeping mahonia
Creeping Oregon grape
Creeping western barberry
Dwarf Oregon grape
Holly grape
Mountain holly
Oregon barberry
Oregon grape
Description
Creeping mahonia is a small woody evergreen shrub native mainly to western and northern North America. It is a long lived hardy plant that is adapted to USDA Zones 4 through 8 and grows on mountain slopes up to 10,000 feet.
Mahonia has a somewhat irregular shape and is about 2 feet tall and wide. Holly-like leaves and yellow clusters of flowers in spring and early summer make this plant an excellent tall groundcover with year round landscape interest. Dark blue/purple berries form after blooming in summer.
Mahonia is adapted to a wide variety of well drained soil types. This is one of the few native shrubs that that tolerates shade and sun.
Attracts
bees
butterflies
birds and other wildlife are attracted to the berries
Additional Resources:
West
Nevada – Creeping barberry, creeping Oregon grape
Midwest
Southeast
Texas – Creeping Barberry, Creeping Hollygrape
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Datatbase