Creeping mahonia is a low-growing, stoloniferous, evergreen shrub that reaches 1 foot tall and spreads by underground stems to form an attractive ground cover. The toothed, bluish-green leaves resemble holly and turn purplish in winter. Deep yellow flowers appear from March to April and are followed by small clusters of grape-like, dark bluish-purple, sour berries that can be used in jellies. The stem wood is yellow and was used by Native Americans to produce yellow dyes and a bitter tonic.