Botanical Name: Berberis thunbergii
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Common Name: Japanese Barberry  
Plant photo of: Berberis thunbergii
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

1-3', 3-6', 6-12'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Purple, Red, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

Brown, Red

 

Fruit Color

Orange, Red

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom
  • Description

  • Notes

Japanese barberry is a deciduous shrub that is usually available as one of dozens of cultivars, all with some shared attributes, but each with its own character. All Japanese barberry have an upright, mounding to vase-shaped habit; small, oval to rounded leaves; bright red or orange torpedo-shaped little berries; and thorns. Leaf color varies with cultivar, as does fall color. Size also varieties, from little dwarfs under 2 feet tall to mounding shrubs 6 to 8 feet tall. Check the plant tag for details; depending on size, use in the front or backs of shrub borders. Avoid walkways and drives (remember those thorns). A great hedge plant (again, remember those thorns).