Creeping Oregon Grape

Mahonia repens

Creeping Oregon Grape is a shrub for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam, sandy soil or acid soil, flowering Apr, May.

Where to use it in a border

At around 30 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8b, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, sandy soil, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses Creeping Oregon Grape's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Evergreen Huckleberryfor height behind it
• Goatsbeardfor height behind it
• Mountain Laurel 'Olympic Fire'for height behind it
• Northern Sea Oatsfor height behind it
• Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snow Queen'for height behind it
• Oregon Grapefor height behind it

Garden styles

Foundation planting Native Shade cottage Woodland Xeriscape (low-water)