Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea - Barberry

The Berberis thunbergii Atropurpurea or Japanese Barberry is a bush with a rounded and bushy habit. The branches of the bush bear mildly aggressive thorns. In April-May, the abundant flowering produces clusters of 1 to 6 umbel-shaped flowers covering the stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1cm (0.4in) long, are a pale yellow speckled with red. They appear on the previous year's shoots. These are nectar-secreting flowers that are not edible. They are followed in September-October by small spherical red fruits which measure 6 to 8mm (0.3in) long and persist through part of the winter.

The deciduous foliage of this Barberry is composed of reddish-purple leaves that turn bright red in autumn. It creates a beautiful contrast with the flowers. These leaves, 1 to 3cm (1.2in) long, are obovate (ovate, with the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part). This ornamental plant is native to Japan. With excellent hardiness, it can reach a height of 1 to 2m (6-7ft).

The Japanese Barberry is ideal for low hedges, whether they are informal or trimmed. Thanks to its thorns, it can be used as a defensive hedge. It is also cultivated in shrub borders, alongside forsythias and abelias, or even as a standalone specimen. Additionally, this bush can be planted in rockeries, slopes, borders, and even in containers for terraces or balconies.