A
densely foliated shrub, it branches to the
ground.
Small yellow
flowers which are almost hidden
by the foliage.
Mid-May
Leaves are
small, 1 inch or less and quite variable in
outline. Good green color in summer turns bright
shades of red, orange-red and orange in autumn.
Bright red
oval berries about ¾ inch long profusely
produced along the branches persist throughout the
winter
var.
atropurpurea - With reddish
leaves throughout the entire growing season
var.
atropurpurea 'Red Bird' -
leaves more red and more compact in growth
than the var. atropurpurea
'Crimson
Pygmy' - often called 'Little Gem', 'Little
Pygmy' or var. 'Atropurpurea nana' - dwarf,
red-leaved variety. Only 2 feet tall with
mounded in habit
'Erecta' - True
Hedge Columnberry - grows erect and is very
compact.
'Globe'
- green leaves and a
globe shape
'Minor' - smaller in habit,
foliage and fruit than the species, densely compact variety
'Thornless' - Without
thorns
'Variegata' - With leaves variegated
with spots of white, light gray and yellow.
Effective in all seasons. Tolerates dry as well
as moist situations
B.
atropurpurea - Redleaf Japanese Barberry.
Similar to the species except the foliage is
reddish-purple all season if grown in sunny places
(green in shade).
B. erecta
- Truehedge Columnberry.
Upright habit of growth good for a narrow hedge.
B. minor
- Box Barberry.
Smaller than the species in all characteristics: height,
foliage and fruit. Some nurseries are offering a dwarf
red leaf strain called “Crimson Pygmy” which makes
excellent low hedges.
