Berberis thunbergii

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, woody shrub with arching, slender, zig-zag branches bearing a single, sharp spine at each node below each rosette of leaves. The wedge-shaped leaves are untoothed, slightly blue-green to green to dark reddish purple, and borne in whorls or clusters. Some Japanese Barberry cultivars are spectacular additions to the landscape where they bring a strong color accent from spring to fall. Tiny, scented, pale yellow flowers appear in mid-late spring, but are insignificant in comparison to the beauty of the foliage. They grow in drooping clusters along the lower sides of the branches and are followed by an abundant crop of bright red berries in the fall. The fruits persist well into the winter. Attractive to birds, they often remain on the spiny stems after the leaves have fallen, therefore extending the season of interest of this ornamental shrub through the winter.

• Grows up 2-6 ft. tall and wide (60-180 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Japanese Barberry is not fussy about soils provided they are not soggy or wet. Tolerates full shade.
• Japanese Barberry is moderately drought tolerant.
• Japanese Barberry is very adaptable and can be used as a specimen plant or massed in beds and borders. It can be planted in rows and pruned and sheared to form a barrier hedge and it is also often mass planted as a ground cover.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew or berberis sawfly. Deer resistant.
• Prune immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
• Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Add To Project Request A Quote

Requirement
Hardiness	4,5,6,7,8
Heat Zones	5,6,7,8
Climate Zones	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2B, 3A, A3, 3B
Plant Type	Shrubs
Plant Family	Berberidaceae
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
Height	4' - 5'
Spread	3' - 4'
Water Needs	Low, Average
Maintenance	Low, Average
Soil Type	Acid
Characteristics	Showy, Attracts Butterflies
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
Planting Place	Patio and Containers, Walls and Fences