Some barberries may be referred to either as Berberis or Mahonia. The California species are a group of evergreen shrubs with glossy, spiny-edged leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in spring followed by small grape-like berries attractive to birds. Barberry foliage provides a display through the year as new leaf growth is often bronzy red that gives way to green- and finally purple-red tones in the winter months.

Examples: Oregon grape (M. repens, 1-3’ x 2-3’) is an excellent small-scale groundcover for lightly shaded understory locations; Nevin mahonia (M. nevinii, 6-8’ x 6-8’) with blue-green leaves from Southern California is a good screen plant; and California holly grape (M. pinnata, 4-6’ x 4-6’) with wavy leaves provides distinctive texture.