Barberry shrubs, belonging to the Berberis genus, are deciduous or evergreen plants known for their vibrant foliage, thorny branches, and colorful berries. While often referred to as “barberry trees,” they are technically shrubs, though some larger varieties can take on a tree-like appearance with age. These plants are prized for their ornamental value, adaptability, and ability to thrive in various climates, making them a popular choice for landscaping.
Japanese Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii*)
Native to East Asia, the Japanese barberry is one of the most widely cultivated species, growing to a height of 3 to 6 feet with a similar spread. It is deciduous, featuring small, bright green leaves that turn brilliant shades of orange, scarlet, and reddish-purple in fall, adding a fiery display to autumn landscapes. In spring, it produces small, yellow flowers that are often hidden beneath the foliage, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, attracting birds. This variety is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, though it is considered invasive in some regions, such as parts of the United States, where it can outcompete native plants. Its thorny branches make it an effective barrier plant, ideal for hedges or security plantings.
Common Barberry (*Berberis vulgaris*)
The common barberry, native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall, occasionally resembling a small tree with its upright, arching branches. It features small, oval, green leaves that turn yellow in fall, complemented by clusters of yellow flowers in spring and red berries in autumn. Historically, its sour berries were used culinarily, but it is now less commonly planted due to its role as a host for wheat rust, a fungal disease that affects grain crops, leading to bans in some areas. Despite this, it remains valued for its ornamental appeal and adaptability to a range of soil types and conditions, thriving in full sun to partial shade.
Wintergreen Barberry (*Berberis julianae*)
An evergreen species native to China, the wintergreen barberry grows to about 6 to 10 feet tall, with a dense, upright habit that can give it a tree-like appearance in maturity. Its glossy, dark green leaves turn bronze in winter, providing year-round interest, and its thorny branches add a protective element to landscapes. In spring, it produces small, yellow flowers followed by oval, bluish-black berries that add subtle winter color. This variety is highly adaptable, tolerating full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions. Its evergreen nature and robust structure make it an excellent choice for hedges, screens, or foundation plantings in regions with mild winters.
Crimson Pygmy Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Crimson Pygmy’ is prized for its compact size, growing to only 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, or edging. Its small, rounded leaves emerge bright red in spring, maintaining a deep burgundy color throughout the growing season before turning a vivid scarlet in fall. In spring, it produces small, yellow flowers, followed by red berries that persist into winter. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and its vibrant foliage adds a bold splash of color to landscapes. Its low-growing habit and dense growth make it a popular choice for groundcovers or accent plantings, though it shares the invasive tendencies of its parent species in some areas.
Golden Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Aurea’*)
Another cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Golden Barberry’ is celebrated for its bright, golden-yellow foliage, which emerges in spring and maintains its vibrant hue throughout the growing season, turning a soft yellow-green in fall. Growing to about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, this deciduous shrub produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, though its foliage is the primary attraction. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the best color achieved in full sun, and prefers well-drained soil. ‘Golden Barberry’ is ideal for adding a luminous, cheerful accent to borders, rock gardens, or mixed shrub beds, though care should be taken in regions where Japanese barberry is invasive.
Rose Glow Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Rose Glow’*)
A striking cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Rose Glow’ grows to about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with arching branches covered in variegated foliage that emerges rose-pink with deeper red-purple splotches, maturing to a deep reddish-purple. In spring, it produces small, yellow flowers, followed by bright red berries in fall, adding seasonal interest. This deciduous shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its vibrant foliage providing a dramatic focal point in landscapes. ‘Rose Glow’ is often used in hedges, borders, or as a specimen plant, though its invasive potential in some regions should be considered. Its unique coloration and dense growth make it a standout choice for adding texture and color to gardens.
Kobold Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Kobold’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Kobold’ is a compact shrub that grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with a dense, mounded habit reminiscent of a boxwood. Its small, bright lime-green leaves turn a rich wine-red in winter, providing year-round interest, and it produces small, yellow flowers in spring followed by red berries in fall. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, or as a low hedge. ‘Kobold’ is valued for its neat, tidy appearance and ability to maintain its shape with minimal pruning, though its invasive tendencies in some areas should be monitored.
Mentor Barberry (*Berberis x mentorensis*)
A hybrid between Berberis julianae and Berberis thunbergii, the Mentor barberry is a semi-evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 7 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright habit that can resemble a small tree. Its glossy, dark green leaves turn reddish in fall, and it produces small, yellow flowers in spring followed by dull red berries. This variety is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to partial shade and a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions. Mentor barberry is often used for hedges, screens, or foundation plantings due to its robust structure and thorny branches, which provide a natural barrier. Its semi-evergreen nature adds year-round interest in milder climates.
Red-Leaf Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’*)
A cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Red-Leaf Barberry’ grows to about 4 feet tall and wide, with arching branches covered in deep red-purple foliage that emerges in spring and maintains its color throughout the growing season, turning a brighter red in fall. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and bright red berries in fall, adding seasonal interest. This deciduous shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the best color achieved in full sun, and prefers well-drained soil. ‘Red-Leaf Barberry’ is ideal for adding bold color to borders, hedges, or mixed shrub beds, though its invasive potential in some regions should be considered. Its thorny branches make it an effective barrier plant.
Concorde Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Concorde’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Concorde’ is a compact shrub that grows to about 1.5 to 2 feet tall and wide, with a rounded, mounded habit. Its small, deep purple leaves maintain their rich color throughout the growing season, turning even more vivid in fall, and it produces small, yellow flowers in spring followed by red berries. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, or as a low hedge. ‘Concorde’ is valued for its neat, tidy appearance and ability to add a bold, dark accent to landscapes, though its invasive tendencies in some areas should be monitored.
Bagatelle Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Bagatelle’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Bagatelle’ is a petite shrub that grows to about 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide, with a compact, mounded habit. Its small, blood-red leaves emerge in spring, maintaining their deep color throughout the growing season before turning a brighter red in fall. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, adding subtle seasonal interest. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens, containers, or as a low edging plant. ‘Bagatelle’ is prized for its small size and vibrant foliage, though its invasive potential in some regions should be considered.
Superba Barberry (*Berberis ottawensis ‘Superba’*)
A hybrid between Berberis thunbergii and Berberis vulgaris, ‘Superba’ is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with arching branches covered in purple leaves that emerge in spring and maintain their color throughout the growing season, turning reddish-purple in fall. It produces lush, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, adding seasonal interest. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, hedges, or as a specimen plant. ‘Superba’ is valued for its vibrant foliage and adaptability, though care should be taken in regions where barberries are invasive. Its thorny branches and colorful foliage make it a striking addition to landscapes.
Helmond Pillar Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Helmond Pillar’*)
A columnar cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Helmond Pillar’ grows to about 4 to 5 feet tall but only 1 to 2 feet wide, with a narrow, upright habit that resembles a small tree. Its deep purple-red foliage emerges in spring, maintaining its rich color throughout the growing season before turning a brighter red in fall. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, adding subtle seasonal interest. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for narrow spaces, vertical accents, or as a hedge. ‘Helmond Pillar’ is prized for its unique form and vibrant foliage, though its invasive potential in some regions should be considered.
Sunjoy Gold Pillar Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Sunjoy Gold Pillar’*)
A columnar cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Sunjoy Gold Pillar’ grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, with a narrow, upright habit. Its bright golden-yellow foliage emerges in spring, maintaining its vibrant hue throughout the growing season before turning a soft orange in fall. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, though its foliage is the primary attraction. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the best color achieved in full sun, and prefers well-drained soil. ‘Sunjoy Gold Pillar’ is ideal for adding a luminous, vertical accent to borders or mixed shrub beds, though its invasive tendencies in some areas should be monitored.
Orange Rocket Barberry (*Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’*)
A columnar cultivar of the Japanese barberry, ‘Orange Rocket’ grows to about 4 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with an upright, rocket-like habit. Its foliage emerges bright orange-red in spring, matures to a deep red-purple in summer, and turns a fiery orange in fall, providing dramatic seasonal color shifts. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, adding subtle interest. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for vertical accents, hedges, or as a focal point. ‘Orange Rocket’ is valued for its bold, dynamic foliage, though its invasive potential in some regions should be considered.
Emerald Carousel Barberry (*Berberis x ottawensis ‘Emerald Carousel’*)
A hybrid between Berberis thunbergii and Berberis vulgaris, ‘Emerald Carousel’ is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, with a rounded, bushy habit. Its bright green foliage emerges in spring, maintaining its vibrant color throughout the growing season before turning yellow in fall. It produces small, yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall, adding seasonal interest. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, hedges, or as a specimen plant. ‘Emerald Carousel’ is valued for its fresh, green foliage and adaptability, though care should be taken in regions where barberries are invasive. Its thorny branches and compact form make it a versatile addition to landscapes.