CREEPING OREGON GRAPE

Mahonia repens

Creeping Oregon grape is the native plant of choice for a perennial groundcover in dry shade. It also performs well in full sun, though it tends to get somewhat taller. It has hollylike evergreen leaves that turn purple or red in winter but remain on the plant. The heavily honey-scented spikes of yellow flowers appear in mid-spring. These are followed by clusters of juicy, blue-purple fruits that resemble small grapes. The fruits are edible but rather astringent. They can be used to make jelly that is worth the effort for its color alone. Creeping Oregon grape is often confused with its taller cousin from the Pacific Northwest, hollyleaf barberry (Mahonia aquifolium), and the two occasionally form hybrids. The leaves of creeping Oregon grape are flat, with thin spines on the teeth and a dull finish. Hollyleaf barberry has very shiny leaves with heavy spine tips. Creeping Oregon grape combines well with mountain lover but tends to overrun slower-growing shade-tolerant perennials. It is best given its own space.