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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
Nursery & Gardens open: Mon - Sat 08.30 - 16.30 & Sun 10:00 - 16:00
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    BERBERIS
    BERBERIS
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    BERBERIS BERBERIS BERBERIS BERBERIS BERBERIS thunbergii 'Bonanza Gold' and SALIX helvetica © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    BERBERIS

    Commonly known as Japanese barberry

    Genus of about 450 evergreen and deciduous shrubs from all parts of the northern hemishere, northern and tropical Africa and South America differing widely in form and habit from dwarf species to large garden or hedging shrubs and usually with spiny branches or spine-tipped leaves.

    Barberry fruit, rich in vitamin C was used in the past to make jellies, jams and pickles.

    B. vulgaris is naturalised in the UK and was much-despised and destroyed in the 19th century as it is a secondary host of wheat rust.

    It is being planted to safeguard the rare Barberry Carpet moth, its sole food plant.

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Berries
      These plants have berries.
    • Pests & Diseases
      Aphids, powdery mildew.
    • Place of origin
      Japan.
    • Deciduous
      obovate, entire leaves to 3cm (1¼in) long.
    • Yellow
    • Fully hardy
    • Gold
    • Height
      60cm (24in)
    • Spread
      60cm (24in)
    • Dwarf shrub
      Typically only grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height but there will be some exceptions.
      Compact, rounded, spiny shrub. Flowers are insignificant. Red berries in autumn.
    • Pruning group 2
      Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs and trees that flower in Spring or early Summer on previous year's growth, including plants that produce new growth at or near ground level.
      Pruning: Prune flowered shoots to strong buds. Cut back approximately 1/4 of old shoots to the base to promote replacement growth.
      When: Annually, after flowering.

    • Very hardy
      Hardy in the severest continental climates including exposed upland locations in the UK. Plant can withstand temperatures < -20 (-4°F)
    • Autumn Seasonal Interest
    • Tolerates all
      Any well-drained soil.
    • Full sun
    • Partial shade
    • Bee friendly
    • Rabbit Resistant
    • Mature Size
      60cm (24in)
      		 Dwarf Shrub - guide for size not form Watering Can
        60cm (24in)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    View Customers Also Bought
    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'

    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'

    Japanese barberry
    Available from £16.50
    view
    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea-nana'

    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea-nana'

    Japanese barberry, Purple-leafed barberry
    Available from £16.50
    view
    BERBERIS darwinii

    BERBERIS darwinii

    Darwin's barberry
    Available from £16.50
    view
    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

    Japanese barberry, Purple-leafed barberry
    Available from £16.50
    view
    View Planting Combinations

    varieties
    BERBERIS darwinii
    Darwin's barberry
    Bright orange flowers
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.50
    BERBERIS insignis
    Forms a dense clump of erect yellowish stems. Dense flower clusters followed by black berries
     
    2 Litre
    £35.00
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'
    Japanese barberry
    Compact, low growing variety with lovely orange-red leaves with a yellow edge. Good orange autumn colour
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.50
    Available late spring to early summer 2026
    Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    BERBERIS thunbergii 'Aurea'
    Japanese barberry
    Bright gold foliage
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £16.50

    Useful extras...

    Vermin & Pest Control
    Slug Pellets
    Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails. Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.
    800g
    £6.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Wildflower Mini Meadow
    Creates a mini-meadow for attracting bees, butterflies and bugs to your garden. 200g sachet which will cover 3 square metres. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi.
    3m²
    £7.00
    10m²
    £15.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
    A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
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