Berberis, Japanese Barberry 'Atropurpurea'

From Wikipedia: "...in Canada its cultivation is prohibited as the species can act as a host for Puccinia graminis (black rust), a rust d...Read Moreisease of wheat."

'Rose Glow' or 'Rosy Glow' has shown no signs of invasiveness for the past 8 years in my Zone 8 garden. New growth in the Spring is part...Read Moreicularly lovely when the leaves are mottled with pink and burgundy, although by Summer the leaves are completely burgundy. Growing 4 to 6' tall, 'Rose Glow' has a graceful, arching shape, ideal for a slight slope.

Horrible invasive... the pretty red fruit is eaten by birds, which then distribute the seeds. Take a look around New England woodlands an...Read Mored you'll see thorny, leggy Berberis naturalizing where it shoudn't be. Don't plant Berberis anywhere in the U-S!

Japanese barberry was introduced to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston in 1875 (some say 1864). Since that time it has invaded not only dist...Read Moreurbed areas but intact forest throughout New England and other regions, and today it is one of the worst noxious invaders we have. It's become such a concern that I'm actually doing a Master's thesis on the plant! Hybrids such as the one above have the potential for increased hybrid vigor and therefore may be more invasive than the original Japanese barberry. I say, who cares how "pretty" it looks, think of trying to take a walk in your local woods through dense thickets of thorns once the plants escape from your yards! There are several attractive native substitutes for barberry, including winterberry or inkberry holly, New Jersey tea, bayberry, red or black chokeberry, and silky dogwood. PLEASE do not plant Japanese barberry!!

The appeal of this plant will continue to allude me. THORNY, AWKWARD-LOOKING bushes that grow completely OUT OF CONTROL. The choices f...Read Moreor colored-foliage shrubs and bushes is so immense and I have no idea why anyone would choose this one. A NOXIOUS WEED or INVASIVE in many areas, the seeds have the ability to re-seed all over the place. A full-grown plant is NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ERADICATE. This plant was on my property before I got here and I HATE IT!!!! I find it VERY UNATTRACTIVE IN THE WINTER and awkward-looking other times of year. It grows rampantly and will choke out other shrubs/plants. It's murder in the winter when I want to hang Christmas lights, the beast of a bush planted against my foundation sticks me with its MANY AND MASSIVE THORNS. Pruning is nearly impossible with the thorns. If and when any branches or thorns fall to the ground, it's murder in the summer if anyone, especially children, walk barefoot. PLEASE DON'T PLANT THIS BUSH AND THREATEN NATIVE FLORA OR YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please note that this is a very invasive, destructive plant- one of the top ten most invasive species on the mid/north atlantic coast. T...Read Morehere are several native and non-invasive compact shrubs you can use to substitue, one alternative to consider is blueberry.

'Crimson Pygmy' barberry is one of the more compact varieties available. Fewer berries develop, leading to fewer volunteers to remove....Read Morer />
All deciduous species of berberis WERE prohibited in Canada.

Thanks to an observant DG member, I got information about 11 cultivars of barberry that are now approved for growing in Canada! I know those of you who have wanted them cannot wait to get them. Please contact a Canadian extension agent to get a list of varieties, as well as sources for these beauties.

Berberis thunbergii 'Aurea' are my bright yellow ones, and 'Atropurpea Nana' is my dark purple one. All are quite thorny, and two are gro...Read Morewing in full sun. The one growing in part shade, 'Aurea', turns a pale chartreuse rather than the normal luminous yellow. They take well to pruning for shape. I let one 'Aurea' grow naturally wild and unkept-looking and it makes a great specimen plant for it's spectacular color. At 4 years in the ground (beginning from 1 gal. nursery pots), they are now about 30" tall. No pest problems. I did have to prune a very few branches this past year from winter damage, not a usual event.

The berberis leave turn into red color when the plant is in full sun. If dont get enough sunlight the foliage turn into green.

Gracefull growth habit with slender, arching, spiny branches; if not sheared, usually reaches 4-6 feet tall, with equal spread. Dense fol...Read Moreiage with roundish 1/2- 1 1/2-in.-long leaves, deep green above, paler beneath, turning to yellow, orange, and red before they fall. Beadlike, bright red berries stud branches in fall and through winter. Hedge, barrier planting, or single shrub. May attractive selections are available.