Creeping Mahonia (Berberis repens) is in the barberry family family (Berberidaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,126 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Creeping Mahonia: observations by month (U.S.)
About Creeping Mahonia
Mahonia repens commonly known as creeping mahonia, creeping Oregon grape, creeping barberry, or prostrate barberry, is a species of Mahonia native to the Rocky Mountains and westward areas of North America, from British Columbia and Alberta in the north through Arizona and New Mexico, then into northwest Mexico by some reports. It is also found in many areas of California and the Great Basin region in Nevada.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Creeping Mahonia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 448 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Utah | 274 | April | Mar–May |
| New Mexico | 95 | May | Apr–May |
| Wyoming | 87 | June | May–Jun |
| Montana | 58 | May | May–Jun |
| Idaho | 35 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Arizona | 33 | April | Apr–May |
| Oregon | 31 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 30 | April | Apr–May |
| Nevada | 25 | May | May–Jun |
| South Dakota | 10 | May | Apr–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (barberry family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Creeping Mahonia?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from March to June.
Where is Creeping Mahonia most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico.