When does Mahonia repens bloom?

Mahonia repens generally flowers in April and May, producing small clusters of bright yellow blooms before its blue-black berries form later in summer.

What pollinators are attracted to Mahonia repens?

Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to its early spring flowers, which provide one of the first nectar sources of the season in many mountain and woodland habitats.

How much light does Mahonia repens need to grow well?

It does best in part shade but is adaptable, tolerating dappled sun to fuller shade, especially under open forest canopies or on north-facing slopes.

Does Mahonia repens require much watering?

Once established it needs little supplemental water and handles dry, rocky, or sandy soils well, though it can tolerate occasional moisture.

Is Mahonia repens evergreen or deciduous?

It keeps its leathery, holly-like leaflets year round, and the foliage often takes on bronze or purplish tones during colder months.

Is Oregongrape toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Oregongrape as toxic to livestock.

Is Oregongrape HOA-friendly?

Oregongrape is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Oregongrape

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Mahonia repens

Last reviewed: September 2026

Mahonia repens is a low, spreading evergreen shrub with holly-like leaflets and bright yellow flowers in April and May, well suited to dry, rocky slopes and part-shade woodland understories.

Toxicity unknown

Oregongrape (Mahonia repens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Oregongrape as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 14 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago

Oregongrape is a low-growing native shrub with glossy, holly-like leaves that turn bronze-red in fall. It produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring followed by blue berries, and spreads slowly by underground runners to form colonies.

Growing Oregongrape

Grow Oregongrape in part shade and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Oregongrape is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and early butterflies, while the berries feed birds and small mammals. The dense, spiny foliage provides excellent nesting and shelter habitat.

Common questions

When does Mahonia repens bloom?: Mahonia repens generally flowers in April and May, producing small clusters of bright yellow blooms before its blue-black berries form later in summer.
What pollinators are attracted to Mahonia repens?: Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to its early spring flowers, which provide one of the first nectar sources of the season in many mountain and woodland habitats.
How much light does Mahonia repens need to grow well?: It does best in part shade but is adaptable, tolerating dappled sun to fuller shade, especially under open forest canopies or on north-facing slopes.
Does Mahonia repens require much watering?: Once established it needs little supplemental water and handles dry, rocky, or sandy soils well, though it can tolerate occasional moisture.
Is Mahonia repens evergreen or deciduous?: It keeps its leathery, holly-like leaflets year round, and the foliage often takes on bronze or purplish tones during colder months.
Is Oregongrape toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Oregongrape as toxic to livestock.
Is Oregongrape HOA-friendly?: Oregongrape is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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