Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea
Purple Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea - Habit in Fall

Family:

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family) 9

Genus:

Berberis (Barberry Japanese Barberry) 6

Plant Type:

Shrub 491

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 497

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 807

Flowers:

Yellow (Small yellow flowers with a hint of purple)

Foliage:

Red-Violet (One of the first shrubs to leaf out in spring); Red (Rich red to purplish-red fall foliage)

Fruit:

Red (Bright to dark red, glossy 0.33" dia. berries appear late (October) and persist into winter; variable fruit set that can be showy)

Ultimate Height:

3-6 feet

Ultimate Spread:

4-7 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Very adaptable to different soils, but avoid extremely moist soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The red-purple leaves are alternate, simple, 0.5-1.25" in length and width, and spatulate, narrowing closer to the petiole. Leaves grow in clusters. Single spine at nodes. Stems are reddish-brown. Small yellow flowers with purple tint are 0.5" in diameter. Small red berries appear at 0.25" in diameter.

Special Characteristics:

Foliage Characteristics 279

Fall Color 214

Fruiting Characteristics 208

Pollution Tolerant 217

Salt Tolerant 60

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 190

Slow Growth Rate 269

Winter Interest 90

Additional Information

This variety has purple to red summer foliage, turning a rich red to red-violet in the fall. It is an adaptable plant that does well in an urban environment. Place in a high light location for best foliage coloration. Can be coppiced, with the resulting new growth developing better summer color. Can be pruned to ground every 5 to 7 years. Relatively trouble-free.