Berberis is a group of groundcovers and shrubs that may sometimes be referred to as 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: Creeping Oregon grape (B. aquifolium var. repens, 1-3’ x 3-5’) is an excellent small-scale groundcover for lightly shaded understory locations; Nevin’s Barberry (B. nevinii, 6-8’ x 6-8’) with blue-green leaves from Southern California is a good screen plant; and California holly grape (B. pinnata, 5-7’ x 4-5’) with wavy leaves provides distinctive texture.