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Berberis thunbergii Admiration - Barberry

Berberis thunbergii Admiration®
Japanese Barberry

4,8/5
25 reviews
2 reviews
1 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews

This is the 6th in my garden. I reiterate my previous praises about this bush with its magnificent colours. One must be careful of its very aggressive thorns, so be cautious especially if you have children.

Béatrice, 17/09/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Graden Merit Value-for-money
Superb deciduous, spiny, compact bush, with small leaves first bright red then purple marginated with yellow in summer, turning to orange-red in autumn. In spring, it is adorned with small clusters of yellow flowers that harmonize with the foliage. It does not require pruning. Perfect in a pot, border, or flowerbed, this hardy plant adapts to all soils that are not too dry. A sunny exposure will enhance the colours of the foliage.
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
1.20 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
all types
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November
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Description

The Berberis thunbergii Admiration is a variety of barberry characterized by a naturally compact habit and remarkably colourful foliage, from spring to autumn. It is a small spiny deciduous bush, with leaves that successively change from vibrant red in spring to purple with yellow margins and finally to orange-red in autumn. In spring, its small yellow flowers stand out against the foliage, as do its bright red berries in late summer. Its dense growth and modest size make it interesting in a large border, shrub bed, or mixed hedge.

The Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry, is a bush in the family Berberidaceae, native to Japan. It has a bushy, spreading habit and deciduous or semi-evergreen foliage in mild climates.

The 'Admiration' cultivar was obtained in 1995 by Michal Andrusiv in the Czech Republic. The bush will quickly reach a height of 1.20m (3ft 11in) with a spread of 1.50m (4ft 11in). The red branches are rather upright and bear quite aggressive thorns. The foliage is the main asset of this barberry. It consists of rounded leaves measuring 2 to 3cm (1.2in) in length, obovate (ovate, with the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part), and shiny. When they first emerge, they have a light and vibrant red colour, then as they mature, they turn purple with a yellow margin. In April-May, clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1cm (0.4in) long, are pale yellow, tinged with red on the outside. They are nectar-rich and followed in September-October by a few small bright red spherical fruits, measuring 6 to 8mm (0.3in) in length which persist on the branches for part of the winter. The foliage takes on a beautiful reddish-orange hue before falling in October-November.

The Berberis thunbergii Admiration, hardy down to -15°C (5°F), thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, even if it is chalky, poor, or rocky, but not excessively dry in summer. Naturally compact, it does not require pruning. It can be used to create a low hedge, combined with other golden-leaved barberries ('Bonanza Gold') or silver-leaved shrubs (Powis Castle artemisia), to create a beautiful colour scheme. Easily create an attractive scene by combining it with Pieris, heucheras, and Chinese peonies.

 


 

Berberis thunbergii Admiration - Barberry in pictures

Berberis thunbergii Admiration - Barberry (Foliage) Foliage
Berberis thunbergii Admiration - Barberry (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.20 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time May
Flower size 1 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour red

Botanical data

Genus

Berberis

Species

thunbergii

Cultivar

Admiration®

Family

Berberidaceae

Other common names

Japanese Barberry

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference7815622

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Planting and care

The Berberis thunbergii Admiration, hardy down to -15°C, should be planted in spring or autumn, in well-drained soil, even if it's limestone and slightly poor or rocky. Place it in a sunny position to enhance its colours. Water generously and frequently during the first summers. No need to fertilize. It requires little maintenance, just make sure to keep the soil moist, especially in summer. For Berberis planted as hedges, balance the shape in spring and September. In informal hedges, trim the branches after flowering, to give the bush a rounded, balanced shape. Be careful not to touch the branches with bare hands, as they have spines that are difficult to remove once they have entered the skin.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Container, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture all types, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Prune if necessary with shears at the end of summer to maintain a compact habit.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August to September
Soil moisture all types
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,8/5

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