creeping Oregon grape
creeping hollygrape
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
Spiny leaves – reminiscent of holly foliage – of blue to deep green adorn this stoloniferous shrublet which grows to about 12 inches tall and spreads slowly forming a tight groundcover. In late winter to early spring tight clusters of bright canary yellow flowers burst forth to welcome garden pollinators. By late summer to early fall dark blue-purple berries may form and, while sour, are edible after one or two heavy frosts and can be made into jelly when ripe. The evergreen foliage may turn purplish in winter.
Plant Type: shrub
Growth Habit: spreading
Foliage Type: evergreen
Plant Height (10-year): 1 ft. 0 in. (0.30 meters)
Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)
Plant Height-Mature: 1 ft. 0 in. (0.30 meters)
Plant Width-Mature: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 to 9
Flower Color: yellow
Flowering Time: winter-spring
Sun/Light Exposure: full sun to deep shade
Water Requirements: drought tolerant once etsbalished
Seasonal Interest: spiny leaves of blue to deep green year-round and clusters of golden yellow flowers in spring
This low growing mahonia is tough. It will grow well in full sun to deep shade. In full sun the foliage will turn an attractive plum color. It prefers a moist to well-drained soil, but will tolerate sand and clay. Once established it is drought tolerant, although plants in full sun can yellow if kept excessively dry. Occasional watering during dry weather will help plants in sun to maintain a rich green foliage color. Little pruning is necessary other than the removal of dead or broken limbs.
Text and photos ©2020 Great Plant Picks/Elisabeth Carey Miller Garden except where otherwise noted
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation, The Seattle Times, and Individual Donors
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden