Creeping Mahonia

Mahonia repens (Berberidaceae) is a low, stoloniferous evergreen groundcover native to western North America. It grows to about 2 feet tall and spreads by underground runners. The compound leaves have 3 to 7 leaflets in dull blue-green. Deep yellow flowers appear on short racemes (2.5 to 7.5 cm) in spring, followed by black fruit with a blue bloom.

Creeping mahonia thrives in sun to partial shade on well-drained soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5) and is drought tolerant once established. It tolerates renovation pruning. The species is valued for wildlife cover, erosion control, and planting beneath oaks and other trees where its stoloniferous habit provides steady expansion. Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b.