Barberry Varieties

Barberry shrub

Native to Asia, parts of North American, and areas of Europe, barberries grow wild and are planted in ornamental gardens. Barberries have oval-shaped leaves in a range of colors. Barberries brighten the landscape with fragrant flowers in spring and red berries in fall. The sheer abundance of barberry species makes it impractical to list all the varieties of this woody shrub, but some are more common than others.

Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L)

The common barberry, native in much of the United States, is considered an invasive plant and, according to the USDA Plants Database, some states prohibit planting common barberry. Common barberry is prone to a destructive fungus disease know as black stem rust. Common barberry transmits black stem rust to wheat and can decimate entire fields, so it should not be grown in the vicinity of wheat fields.

Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC)

Japanese barberry thrives with little care. Considered invasive in some areas of the United States, this plant is not always a welcome resident in the garden. Like many other barberries, the Japanese barberry has red foliage and bears red berries in the fall.

Crimson Pygmy Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy')

Crimson foliage and a rounded growth habit mark this barberry. In the fall, the colors deepen to burgundy. A Japanese barberry, the crimson pygmy barberry grows moderately fast and reaches 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It works well for rock gardens and as borders for flower beds and walkways. Crimson pygmy barberry thrives in full sun to partial shade. Planting crimson pygmy barberry with boxwoods, evergreen conifers, or barberries of contrasting foliage ensures garden interest.

Golden Nugget Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Monlers')

A dwarf variety, the golden nugget barberry has striking yellow foliage and reaches to only 1 foot tall. Golden nugget barberry spreads 2 feet wide. Use this bright barberry as a contrast plant, in borders, and plant among evergreens and other barberry varieties of complimentary colors. Golden nugget prefers moist, but well-drained soil, full sun, and weekly watering.

Helmond Pillar Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Helmond Pillar')

With a columnar growth habit, this Japanese barberry frames entrances, gateways and arbors well. Use helmond pillar as a vertical focal point in the landscape. Helmond pillar barberry has purple foliage. It reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Yellow flowers contrast nicely with the purple leaves in spring. In fall it bears red berries. This variety has sharp thorns.

Redleaf Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea')

Redleaf barberry boasts royal purple foliage with hints of red throughout the growing season. Full sun brings out the best color in Redleaf barberry. Growth rate is moderate with the redleaf barberry reaching 4 feet tall and wide. When planted in shade, the leaves of redleaf barberries alter to green. If using it for hedges, set plants 2 feet apart. Yellow flowers adorn the redleaf barberry in spring. In the fall, the color brightens to red, and orange. To protect against the razor-sharp thorns of this barberry, wear long sleeves and thick gardening gloves when working among the redleaf barberries.

Rose Glow Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow')

A favorite of gardeners, rose glow barberry enlivens the landscape with mauve to brilliant red foliage. It creates a vibrant accent when clustered together in uneven numbers such as 3 or 5. In spring the deciduous rose glow barberry flames to life with hints of rosy red, dappled white and touches of green. The small yellow blooms of rose glow barberry appear in spring. In fall bright red berries dangle from the limbs. Planting it in full sun guarantees the brightest hues. For less red foliage, grow the rose glow in shaded areas. This plant grows slow and prefers well-drained soil.

Thornless Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Thornless')

For spectacular fall color, plant thornless barberry. Not entirely thornless, this variety is a round variety of Japanese barberry. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Spring brings yellow flowers and bright green leaves. In the fall, the green foliage of thornless barberry changes to striking shades of red, yellow, and orange. Thornless barberry adapts to most soil types and light conditions.

Wintergreen Barberry (Berberis julianae)

This evergreen barberry, native to China, prefers acidic soil and full sun. Wintergreen barberry reaches 6 to 8 feet tall and spreads as much as 6 feet. Wintergreen barberry grows thick enough to create an effective hedge. Rejuvenate older plants by pruning. Dangerously sharp thrones make this barberry unsuitable for homes with children and small pets. Not cold hardy further north than zone 6, it thrives in warmer zones and is a salt-tolerant shrub.

References

• Plants USDA Gov: Plant Profile (Common Barberry Berberis vulgaris L)
• Plants USDA Gov: Plant Profile (Berberis thunbergii DC. Japanese barberry)
• The Homeowners Complete Tree and Shrub Handbook; Storey Publishing LLC; 2007
• National Garden Book; Sunset Books Inc.; 1997

Resources

• Landscape-solutions-for-you: Barberry