This is a popular deciduous cultivar grown for its red-purple leaves that turn a stunning shade of crimson in the autumn and its mass of yellow flowers in spring.
Berberis ottawensis Superba is a medium size shrub with a rounded growth habit. The arching branches grow from a central clump of straight woody stems giving the plant a pendulous appearance. It responds well to pruning and can be used successfully for hedging.
The purple-red obovate leaves have a smooth margin and are produced from the axils of stem spines. The spines can be very sharp so save your hands and wear gloves when pruning.
During spring clusters or flowers are produced along the stems. The yellow flowers are small, cuplike, the sepals are red and make a lovely contrast to the petals.
Berberis ottawensis Superba makes a great addition to cooler climate gardens where it can be used as a feature, as part of a shrubbery or when pruned regularly as hedging.