Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii · Deciduous shrub
Plant Family
Berberidaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Atropurpurea (Common purple-leaf form)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, demonstrating wide climate adaptability and tolerance to urban pollution.
About This Tree
A dense, compact, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub featuring a rounded, spreading habit with arching branches. It is densely foliated with small leaves and often has sharp thorns along the stems.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, obovate to spatulate simple leaves arranged in clusters along the stems, generally smooth-margined, ranging in color from green to deep burgundy or purple depending on the cultivar.
Bark Characteristics
Slender, reddish-brown to gray stems featuring distinct single or tripartite spines at the nodes, with shallowly furrowed bark on older woody stems.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Japan and East Asia; widely naturalized throughout North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out with small yellow flowers in mid-spring, followed by red berries in summer persisting through winter, entering dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Prefers well-drained soils and exhibits high drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 3 to 6 feet in height with an equal or greater spread, growing at a moderate rate with a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban conditions, deer resistant due to thorns and alkaloid content, and features striking fall foliage and persistent red berries.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting cover and protection for small birds and mammals; berries are consumed by some bird species, though it is considered invasive in certain regions due to prolific seed dispersal.
Notes
bush