Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

 

▲▼ culivar 'Aurea' with yellow leaves in full sun

▲▼ common red-purple-leaved form

Location on campus:  near sign at southeast corner of campus at Grand and National, plus many other areas on campus

Berberis thunbergii: Japanese Barberry

·         mostly deciduous, medium green colored, simple, alternate, obovate leaves with mostly entire margins (occasional spine at leaf tip)

·         leaves about 1/2-1" long and 1/2 as wide; leaves appear in clusters at nodes, but are not whorled, are alternate

·         color of leaves can vary with variety and cultivar:

·         var. atropurpurea has reddish leaves

·         cultivar ‘Aurea’ has yellowish leaves

·         are many cultivars of the species

·         stem is thin, reddish-brown and angled or grooved with single spines about 1/2" long at each node

·         grows 3-6' high and 4-7' wide, depending on cultivar

·         flowers not significant

·         prefers full sun, but will grow in part shade; tolerates wide range of soils, including very dry— a low-maintenance plant once established

·         medium growth rate