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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.
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Deciduousobovate, entire leaves to 3cm (1¼in) long.
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Yellow
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Height60cm (24in)
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Spread60cm (24in)
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Dwarf shrubTypically 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.
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Very hardyHardy in the severest continental climates including exposed upland locations in the UK. Plant can withstand temperatures < -20 (-4°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesBerriesThese plants have berries.Pests & DiseasesAphids, powdery mildew.Place of originJapan.
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf Colour (if not green)Gold
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Pruning groupPruning group 2Suitable 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.
RHS groups 2 & 3 -
Seasonal InterestAutumn
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Soil ConditionsTolerates allAny well-drained soil.
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WildlifeBee friendlyRabbit Resistant
60cm (24in)
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60cm (24in) |

BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'

BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea-nana'

BERBERIS darwinii

BERBERIS thunbergii atropurpurea
Buy Varieties of BERBERIS


BERBERIS darwinii
bright orange flowers

BERBERIS julianae
dense evergreen with spiny prickles and scented yellow flowers. A good hedging plant

BERBERIS linearifolia 'Orange King'
evergreen leaves and rich orange flowers


BERBERIS x lologensis 'Apricot Queen'
evergreen leaves and apricot orange flowers

BERBERIS x ottawensis 'Superba'
yellow flowers, purple foliage, strong grower


BERBERIS temolaica
white-glaucous arching stems, later purple. Grey-green leaves

BERBERIS thunbergii
green leaves changing to orange-red in autumn. Suitable for hedges


BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'
compact, low growing variety with lovely orange-red leaves with a yellow edge. Good orange autumn colour

BERBERIS thunbergii atropurpurea
best purple foliage berberis


BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea-nana'
dwarf purple berberis

BERBERIS thunbergii 'Aurea'
bright gold foliage


BERBERIS thunbergii 'Golden Ring'
leaves purplish-red with greenish-yellow border

BERBERIS thunbergii 'Red Chief'
deep reddish purple leaves on bright red stems


BERBERIS thunbergii 'Rose Glow'
leaves of young shoots purple, mottled silvery pink and bright rose, becoming purple later


BERBERIS valdiviana
a wonderful species with long drooping racemes of saffron-yellow flowers and large leathery spineless leaves


BERBERIS verruculosa
leaves are dark green on top and grey-white underneath. Golden yellow flowers in late spring.

BERBERIS wilsoniae
grey-green leaves brownish red in autumn. Coral-red berries
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