Creeping Mahonia

    This mahonia is another happy bee food, with showy flowers, and not appreciated by deer. Makes excellent ground cover providing food for birds, humans and bees and other pollinators.  Late flowering, in March and April, compared to other Mahonia's.  Berries appreciated by birds, but humans as well, especially for jelly as rather sour. Holly type leaves, evergreen, 1 foot to 1.5 feet height. Stem wood is yellow, native American used for a dye and a tonic.   Prior name was Berberis repens.  Zone 5 to 8. Shade lover. Deer do not eat the plant’s leaves or shoots, but do enjoy the flowers if easily accessible.

State flower of Oregon!

Family: Berberidaceae