Creeping Oregon grape
Mahonia repens
Creeping Oregon grape (Mahonia repens) is a Colorado-native groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Native evergreen for dry shade. Yellow spring blooms, blue summer berries, red-purple winter foliage.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water10–18 in tall and 24–48 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Mahonia repens
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 10–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~34–48 in apart
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Fall color
- Bronze, purple, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in partial shade; tolerates dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Dry shade under conifers, Cool north foundations
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Using Creeping Oregon grape as a groundcover
Creeping Oregon grape spreads steadily. It fills in to a moderately dense cover. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first 2 summers. Tolerates dry shade once established, excellent under conifers.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Creeping Oregon grape good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Creeping Oregon grape is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Creeping Oregon grape?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Creeping Oregon grape get?
- It matures to about 10–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Creeping Oregon grape?
- Space Creeping Oregon grape about 34 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 48 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Creeping Oregon grape hardy on the Front Range?
- Creeping Oregon grape is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Creeping Oregon grape need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- What color does Creeping Oregon grape turn in fall?
- Creeping Oregon grape turns bronze, purple, and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Creeping Oregon grape native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Creeping Oregon grape deer-resistant?
- Creeping Oregon grape is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Creeping Oregon grape a good firewise plant near the house?
- Creeping Oregon grape is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Creeping Oregon grape?
- Creeping Oregon grape isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Creeping Oregon grape replace a lawn?
- Yes, Creeping Oregon grape works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Creeping Oregon grape spread or stay put?
- Creeping Oregon grape is spreading. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Creeping Oregon grape stay green in winter?
- Creeping Oregon grape holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
