This decicuous shrub is erect with arching cane-like stems that form a bushy habit. It has small rounded reddish leaves that turn bright red during autumn and the cup-shaped sulphur-yellow flowers appear in a cluster during mid spring.

Hardiness zones 4 to 10

Berberis thunbergiais naturally found in Japan growing along forest margins and in thickets and has naturalised in many countries including North America and Australia.

It grows in an open sunny to heavily shaded positions and in a variety of well drained poor to fertile moist or dry sand to clay soils and is frost and moderately drought tolerant.

The Purple Japanese Barberry is grown for its autumn colour and its bushy habit. It is planted along borders for screening or can be trimmed to form a hedge. It is also planted in the understory in a woodland setting and establishing in 2 to 5 years. There are many cultivars available including dwarf forms. ID 108

Note:
Take care when handling as the stems have spines. Under ideal conditions this plant self-sows readily and is regarded as a weed.


Berberis(BER-be-ris) thunbergii(thun-BERG-ee-eye)

Berberis`: Latinate form of the Arabic name for this plant; 'thunbergii`: after Swedish botanist Dr Carl P. Thunberg; 'atropurpurea`: dark purple (refers to the leaves of this cultivar).

Berberidaceae (BER-be-rid-AY-see-ee)