Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  var. atropurpurea, Red Barberry

Description:

A beautiful shrub for bringing color into the landscape; rich plum-purple foliage all summer long, finally turning to a deep amber in fall, also has attractive flowers and showy red fruits after the leaves fall

Ornamental Features

Red Leaf Japanese Barberry is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The fruits are showy crimson drupes carried in abundance from early to late fall. It has attractive plum purple deciduous foliage which emerges crimson in spring. The small glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall. It features tiny clusters of yellow flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring.

Landscape Attributes

Red Leaf Japanese Barberry is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Red Leaf Japanese Barberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Red Leaf Japanese Barberry will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.