Creeping mahonia is a plant that is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is a member of the genus Mahonia, which contains about 70 species of evergreen shrubs and herbs. This species is creeping mahonia, Mahonia repens. The plant grows to a height of about 2 feet (60 cm) and has dark green, holly-like leaves. The leaves are arranged in pairs, with each leaf having 5-9 leaflets. The leaflets are each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and have serrated edges. The leaves are often used as a Christmas decoration in the United States. The creeping mahonia is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the spring. The flowers are yellow and appear in clusters. The plant is pollinated by bees. The fruit is a dark blue berry that is about 1/3 inch (8 mm) in diameter. The berries are poisonous to humans but are eaten by birds.
Related plant:
Creeping Snowberry
Related plant:
Creeping Mountain Lilac
About soil condition, creeping mahonia prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, but it is adaptable to most other soil types as long as the soil is well-draining. It is not tolerant of wet or boggy conditions. If the soil is too alkaline, it may cause the leaves to yellow.
Similar to other mahonia plants, the creeping mahonia does best in full sun to part shade. It is a versatile plant that can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from deep shade to full sun. In more shady locations, the plant will have a more leggy growth habit and produce fewer flowers. If you want your plant to produce an abundance of flowers, then place it in an area that receives full sun for at least 6 hours each day.
The temperature condition of the creeping mahonia is moderate to warm. It does not tolerate cold or hot temperatures well. For this reason, it is best to keep this plant in an area that is not exposed to extreme heat or cold.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is during spring and summer. The leaves of the plant will suffer if the humidity is too low. Brown tips on the leaves are the first sign of stress from lack of humidity. Increasing the humidity around the plant can be done by using a pebble tray, placing the plant on a saucer filled with gravel and water, or using a humidifier.
The fertilizer, this kind of plant need is dependent on the pH of the soil. The fertilizer must be mixed with water before being applied to the soil. The roots of the plant are very important, and they must be kept moist at all times.
Pruning your creeping mahonia is essential to maintaining its shape and size. The bush can grow quite large, so you'll need to trim it back regularly. Use sharp, clean pruning shears to make clean cuts. Remove any dead or diseased branches first, then shape the plant by trimming back the sides and top. Don't cut too far back, or you'll damage the plant.
Propagation of creeping mahonia is best done by rooting softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and taken from new growth. Place the cuttings in a well-drained rooting medium and keep them moist but not wet. Cuttings should root in four to six weeks.
Usually, the plant growth rate is slow to moderate, depending on the species. They are generally 1 to 2 feet tall and wide at maturity. Some species, like the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Common problems for this kind of plant are that the leaves may be eaten by slugs or snails and the plant may be affected by scale insects. If the plant is affected by scale insects, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will eventually die. To prevent these problems, it is important to keep the area around the plant clean and free of debris.
Source:
Mahonia - Gardening Solutions - University of Florida
Mahonia repens habit: UIPLANTS
Water-conserving Landscape Plants: Mahonia repens Description
