Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry, Thunberg's Barberry, Red Barberry)
Botanical Information
| Family | Berberidaceae |
| Genus | Berberis |
| Species | thunbergii |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
| Origin | Japan. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 4 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 2 - 5a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -35 - (-29) |
| Temperature (°F) | -30 - (-20) |
| Height | 60 - 240 cm |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | April |
Description and Growing Information
| ID Characteristic | B. thunbergii is most readily distinguished by the flowers being produced in umbels, not racemes. |
| Landscape | Works well in gardens and as borders and groundcover. |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed or by cuttings. |
| Cultivation | Will thrive in any soil type that is not waterlogged, and should be grown in full sun. |
| Pests | The bacteria Pseudomonas berberidis may cause black spots on leaves, and the berberry aphid (Liosomaphis berberidis) may also be a problem. |
| Notable Specimens | The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Stems are angular, dark red and grooved, with simple spines. |
| Leaf Description | The leaves are green to blue-green, very small, spatula to oval shaped, 12-24 mm long and 3-15 mm broad; they are produced in clusters of 2-6 on a dwarf shoot in the axil of each spine. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are pale yellow, 5-8 mm diameter, produced in drooping 1-1.5 cm long umbrella-shaped clusters. |
| Fruit Description | The edible fruit is a glossy bright red to orange-red, ovoid berry 7-10 mm long and 4-7 mm broad, containing a single seed. They mature during late summer and autumn and persist through the winter. |
Photographs
Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurem.
Berberis thunbergii 'Rosy Glow'.
Berberis thunbergii 'Concorde'.
Berberis thunbergii 'Mona'