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Mahonia (repens)

Mark E. Majerus
USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center
99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189
Bridger, Montana 59014-9718
(406) 662-3579
(406) 662-3428 (fax)
mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc
Family Scientific Name: Berberidaceae
Family Common Name: Barberry Family
Scientific Name: Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don
Common Synonym: Berberis repens Lindl.
Common Name: Creeping Oregon grape
Species Code: MAHREP
Ecotype: NRCS accession number 9078266, ecotype from Avalanche area of Glacier National Park and NRCS accession number 9081463, ecotype from the Old Faithful Overlook area of Yellowstone National Park.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Bareroot(field grown)
Stock Type: 3+0 bareroot
Time To Grow: 3 Years
Propagule Collection: Fruit collected by hand.
Propagule Processing: Fruit is readily macerated in a DybvigT. Float off light seed and debris with water then spread the seed on kraft paper in a warm dry place for 24 to 48 hours. If necessary, use a fanning mill to remove chaff.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 For bareroot production, rototill seedbed to break up clods and loosen soil prior to sowing. Lightly firm seedbed with a roller or packer prior to sowing with a belt seeder or drill. Sow seed at a density that results in the production of 6 to 8 plants per linear foot. Given an estimated 30 to 50% germination rate, we sow about 25 seeds per linear foot. Fall sowing usually results in good germination the next spring. As a standard practice, we cover seedbeds with excelsior mat to maintain soil moisture and reduce animal predation. This species can be held over as 3-0 stock because of its small stature.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Bareroot plants are harvested as dormant 2-0 or 3-0 stock as soon as the ground thaws in early spring. A "U" blade mounted to a 3-point system on the back of a tractor is used. Beds are undercut in two directions (lengthwise) prior to using the blade to lift the plants. Bundles of 10 to 25 plants are tied together, trimmed to a uniform size, then the roots packed in moist sphagnum or peat moss wrapped in plastic. The plants are stored in a walk-in cooler maintained at 34 to 37øF and 80+% relative humidity until needed and then shipped in heavy wax coated boxes as priority ground mail early in the week.
Length of Storage: Bareroot plants store for well for several weeks in a walk-in cooler maintained at34 to 37øF and 80+% humidity.
Other Comments: The germination of some seed lots and ecotypes is low or erratic. Overall, a relatively easy to grow species.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot(field grown) Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G. Don plants 3+0 bareroot; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/21). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.