Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea
Purple Japanese Barberry

This plant is considered invasive.

Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea - Habit in Fall

Family:

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family) 8

Genus:

Berberis (Barberry Japanese Barberry) 5

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Bushy 188

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Small yellow flowers with a hint of purple)

Foliage Notes:

Red-Violet (One of the first shrubs to leaf out in spring); Red (Rich red to purplish-red fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Bright to dark red, glossy 0.33" dia. berries appear late (October) and persist into winter; variable fruit set that can be showy)

Ultimate Height:

3-6 feet

Ultimate Spread:

4-7 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Very adaptable to different soils, but avoid extremely moist soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The red-purple leaves are alternate, simple, 0.5-1.25" in length and width, and spatulate, narrowing closer to the petiole. Leaves grow in clusters. Single spine at nodes. Stems are reddish-brown. Small yellow flowers with purple tint are 0.5" in diameter. Small red berries appear at 0.25" in diameter.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Barberry

Special Characteristics:

Pollution Tolerant 217

Salt Tolerant 60

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187

Fall Color 238

Indiana Prohibited Sale 19

Midwest Invasive 42

Slow Growth Rate 272

Winter Interest 117

Additional Information

This variety has purple to red summer foliage, turning a rich red to red-violet in the fall. It is an adaptable plant that does well in an urban environment. Place in a high light location for best foliage coloration. 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.