Discover the charm of Creeping Mahonia, also known as Berberis (Mahonia) repens, Creeping Oregon-grape, or Prostrate Barberry, a rugged low-growing shrub native to the Rocky Mountains and certain areas in North America, stretching from British Columbia and Alberta all the way to Arizona, New Mexico, and even parts of California, Nevada and Mexico. Esteemed for its stunning seasonal transformations, the shrub boasts compound blue-green leaves that turn strikingly purple during winter. Come spring, it sprouts vibrant yellow flowers, giving way to black, grapelike fruit with a blueish hue in the fall. Practical as well as beautiful, the Creeping Mahonia spreads efficiently via stolons, making it an excellent addition to your landscape. The tart flavor of its fruit lends well to raw consumption, pairing nicely with muesli or porridge, and also ideal for jam, jelly, and even refreshing lemonade-like beverages. Despite its low flesh to seed ratio, when sweetened, the juice is reminiscent of grape. Adaptable and hardy, it braves drought, frost, and heat, is deer-resistant, and can serve as an effective ground cover in chilled conditions.
