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 462

Growth Forms:

Bushy 162

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 490

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 792

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.

Special Characteristics:

Pollution Tolerant 217

Salt Tolerant 60

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186

Fall Color 206

Indiana Prohibited Sale 16

Midwest Invasive 38

Slow Growth Rate 266

Winter Interest 90

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.