Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii · Deciduous shrub (often woody, fine-stemmed)
Plant Family
Berberidaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Atropurpurea (Purple-leaf Japanese Barberry)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, demonstrating excellent cold hardiness and adaptability to various urban conditions.
About This Tree
A dense, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub featuring arching branches, sharp spines along the stems, and vibrant reddish-purple foliage that provides striking color contrast in landscapes.
Leaf Characteristics
Small, smooth-margined, spathulate to obovate alternate leaves clustered on short shoots, ranging from dark burgundy to reddish-green depending on sun exposure.
Bark Characteristics
Slender, ridged reddish-brown to grey-brown stems equipped with sharp, single or triple-spiked thorns at the nodes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Japan; widely naturalized throughout North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out with rich purple/red foliage, small yellowish flowers in mid-spring, red oblong berries in late summer through winter, and winter dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering during establishment but exhibits high drought tolerance once mature.
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 pollution, poor soils, and deer browsing due to its prickly thorns; often noted as invasive in natural woodland areas.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides dense nesting cover and protection for small birds and mammals; berries are consumed by some birds, though its invasive tendencies can disrupt native understory ecosystems.