Berberis thunbergii
Japanese Barberry

 This plant is considered invasive.

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Yellow to pale yellow flowers (1" across) appear in spring, but these are not especially showy)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (One of the first shrubs to leaf out in spring); Multi-Colored (Orange, scarlet, and reddish purple leaves in fall; variable fall color quality)
 Fruit Notes:
Red (Slightly showy bright red 0.33" dia. berries appear late (October) and persist into winter; variable fruit set)
 Ultimate Height:
3-6 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
4-7 feet
 Soil Notes:
Very adaptable to different soils, but avoid extremely moist soils
 Range:
Japan
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
0.5-1.25" spatulate leaves in clusters. Leaves are softer than those of Berberis x mentorensis. Stems are glabrous, slender, brown-red, angled, and grooved. Single spine (0.5") at nodes (Berberis x mentorensis typically has three spines). Bright yellow inner wood. Berberis thunbergii invades a variety of habitats from shaded woodlands to open fields and wetlands. Berberis thunbergii is rapidly spread by birds that eat the berries thus dispersing the seeds.

Additional Information

An adaptable plant that does well in an urban environment. Can be coppiced, with the resulting new growth developing better summer color. Can be pruned to ground every 5 to 7 years. Relatively trouble-free. Berberis thunbergii invades a variety of habitats from shaded woodlands to open fields and wetlands. Berberis thunbergii is rapidly spread by birds that eat the berries thus dispersing the seeds.

8 Berberis thunbergii found

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= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
12009_07681*AMSEE
22009_07788*AMSEE
32021_00060*ALILY
42022_00286*BHIKS
52022_00286*AHIKS
62022_00088*AMSEE
72022_00089*AMSEE
82022_00090*AMSEE

Other plants like this Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)

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