This document summarizes information about Creeping Barberry (Mahonia repens), a woody shrub native to western North America. It grows less than 2 feet tall and spreads slowly as a groundcover. It has holly-like evergreen foliage that may turn red in winter. Small yellow flowers in spring are followed by dark blue berries in fall. It is well-suited as a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant groundcover under trees or in rock gardens.

1. * Creeping Barberry – Mahonia repens
(ma-HO-nee-uh REE-penz)
Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Native to: Western N. America from CA & TX to British Columbia. In CA, N. coastal ranges, Sierras,
desert ranges; shaded or wooded slopes and hillsides, often seasonally dry, in many plant
communities including riparian, sagebrush, chaparral, pinyon-juniper, oak woodland, conifer.
woody shrub/sub-shrub
mature height: < 2 ft. mature width: 1-4 ft.
Low, woody groundcover with stiff, holly-like leaves.
Evergreen, spreads slowly/moderately by
above or underground stems (stolens or rhizomes). Foliage very attractive – may turn red in winter.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring, usually Apr-May. Flowers are small, fragrant and a deep yellow.
The tight clusters of flowers are showy, fragrant. Dark blue berries ripen in fall; tart, but make
excellent jellies, sauces and pies with added sweetener. Green to purple dyes from berries.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a groundcover, particularly under trees. Excellent choice for
parking strip; quite water-wise once established. Nice effect in rock garden or cascading over low
stone or concrete walls. Nice neat edging, in an Asian-themed garden, or in pots. Very adaptable.
Teas made from roots/root bark used medicinally for digestive problems. Dyes from leaves, roots.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native evergreen groundcovers like Ivy, Vinca, low Cotoneasters.
Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and berries for food (robins, finches and towhees).
Good nectar source for butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees and other insects.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun (immediate coast) to full shade; best flowering & fruiting in part-shade.
Most local textures, though prefers well-drained soils; fine with acidic soils (like
under pine trees) but ok with most local soils except very alkali.
Water regularly (Zone 2-3) until established to increase growth rate. Then Zone 2
(occasional summer water) to encourage plant health.
Use an organic mulch
Slower growing, so mulch & weed until established. For groundcover, space plants
2-5 ft apart. Easy to grow; pretty pest-free. Can pinch new growth for greater fullness.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: requires special treatment by cuttings: tip cutting, fall
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 11, 13, 24, 28
2/17/11
* CA native plant but not natie to Western L.A. county
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