Japanese barberry

Also known as: Information to be completed

Dense, rounded deciduous shrub about 1m tall, with spiny fresh green leaves, bluish-green beneath, to 3cm long, turning red and orange in autumn. Racemes of small yellow flowers, flushed red on sepals, are produced along the branches in mid spring, glossy bright scarlet berries follow

Scientific classification

Species: Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Genus: Berberis
Family: Berberidaceae

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 1-1.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Autumn · Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Japanese barberry pictures

Distribution of Japanese barberry

Distribution map

Japan

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of Japanese barberry

Information to be completed

Japanese barberry care guide

Regular moderate watering, mature shrubs withstand drought
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Regular moderate watering, mature shrubs withstand drought

Fertilizing

Slow-release shrub fertilizer applied one time each early spring

Pruning

Cut flowered growth back to strong young shoots below, removing up to a fifth of old stems near the base each year. Prune immediately after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or propagate from softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Growing

Grows in any soil except waterlogged, in sun or part shade. A sunny position will encourage fruiting and autumn colour, see berberis cultivation for further advice

More growing and care information →