This is a broadleaf evergreen subshrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to western and central North America. The specific epithet is Latin for "creeping." It is often used as a ground cover due to its height and spread of 1to 2 feet tall and wide. It spreads by stolons with new shoots arising along the stems. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist well-drained acidic soils. Extra winter protection is needed for the northernmost hardiness zones. 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 spiny leaves are holly-like. Use as an evergreen ground cover and for erosion control in sunny areas. It may not do as well for some areas of the southeast. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to rusts and leaf spots. Watch for aphids, scale and whitefly. Leaves will become chlorotic in too alkaline soils. More information on Berberis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Leaves are oval, similar to holly leaves with spines, 1-2 inches in length. The leaves are compound 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.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Spring flowers are yellow and grow on 1 to 3 inch long racemes
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
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.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Stems become gray-purple or gray
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Western Canada to Western & Central U.S.A
Distribution
AZ , CA , CO , ID , IN , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OR , PA , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY Canada: AB , BC
Wildlife value
Pollinators visit the flowers. Birds and small mammals are attracted to fruits. The plant provides year-round cover
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds