Berberis repens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Mahonia repens
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is reh-PENZ
- Description
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This is a broadleaf evergreen that is often used as a ground cover due to its height and spread. It spreads by stolons, long thin slightly underground or overground stems, parallel to the ground. New shoots arise along the stems. Flowers occur on the new upright additions to the stems.
The center of the plant is sometimes open which may reduce its attractiveness. As a ground cover, however, it can be an effective erosion control on hillsides due to its rooting and matting tendencies. It may need to be planted in a protected area away from harsh or drying winter sun and wind. It should not be planted an overly dry location but once established it can tolerate periods of drought.
In April or early spring, flowers attract many pollinators. The yellow clusters of flowers have a lightly fragrant scent. In late summer the flowers transition to dark edible, though sour tasting, berries that are attractive to birds and other wildlife. The shrub can be pruned for size, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- repens
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western Canada to Western & Central U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators visit the flowers. Birds and small mammals are attracted to fruits. The plant provides year-round cover
- Edibility:
- Edible fruits though they are sour.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Spines
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Blackish blue berries arise from the flowers in late summer. The berries are often in a grape-like arrangement, hence one of its common names of Creeping h. Birds like the berries and they are edible for humans but can be quite sour in taste. One use is for jellies.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Prickly
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are oval, similar to holly leaves with spines, 1-2 inches in length. The leaves are compond pinnate, meaning that a stem holds several, 3-7, leaflets on each side which makes up one compound leaf. Leaves feel dull and leathery, again like hollies. There are multiple spiny teeth on the sides of the leaflets. Leaf color is bluish-green in summer and a purplish shade in winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Security
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
