California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea ~ Red Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea is an easily grown shrub. The Red Japanese Barberry grows in full sun to rather dense shade. The creamy fragrant flowers bloom in the early to mid-Spring, there are edible berries in the summer, and fall foliage color as the nights get cold. Hiding under each of the red leaves is a rather wicked thorn. The Japanese Barberry has become an invasive pest in the Northeast and Eastern Canada and another plant should be chosen for these areas. The Red Japanese Barberry grows 5-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea is widely tolerant of wet or dry gardens. Plants are often used for an informal hedge or for the contrast of their striking red foliage. The Red Japanese Barberry is Winter hardy to zone 4.

Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea, Red Japanese Barberry

Flowers and foliage of Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea the Red Japanese Barberry. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Barberry plants featured on this site:
Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea * Japanese Barberry
Mahonia nevinii * Nevin's Barberry
Mahonia trifoliata * Trifoliate Barberry