Formerly Berberis repens. Creeping evergreen subshrub up to 12 in. tall with deep blue berries from bright yellow flower clusters, blooming April to September. Occurs on well-drained, dry to moist soils in coniferous forests, woodlands, shrublands, plains, riparian and occasionally wetland habitats; up to 11,000 ft. elevation. Intolerant of poor drainage and high water tables; tolerant of strongly acid to mildly alkaline soils. Rhizomatous, sprouting with or without wildfire. Heat, sun and shade tolerant and makes excellent landscaping groundcover. Poor palatability to livestock but important food to some wildlife, especially as elk winter forage and summer berries for bears. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. Nectar source for Johnson’s hairstreak butterfly.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Berberidaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub/subshrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Rhizomatous

Mature Height: 4-18 in.

Bloom Color: Yellow

Fruit/Seed Color: 

Bloom Period:

Annual Precipitation: 12-140 in.

Drought Tolerance:

Shade Tolerance:

Elevation:  up to 10,000 ft.

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance:

Fire Tolerance:

Nitrogen fixation:

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance:

pH Range: 4.6-7.6

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound:

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination: