Mahonia nervosa

Northwest native, a tough 2’ tall suckering shrub that creates a low maintenance ground cover with spiny,evergreen, holly-like, emerald green foliage. Yellow flower spikes in late spring attract hummingbirds are followed by glaucous blue berries eaten by birds in fall. Sun to shade, not fussy about soil, looks best with occasional water during dry weather. Good on slopes and naturalized in woodlands. Not a good companion for wimpy plants.