Berberis thunbergii Golden Ruby

Berberis thunbergii Golden Ruby, also known by its cultivar name 'Goruzam', is a variety of dwarf barberry, forming a small, spreading and compact ground cover. Its large leaves unfold in spring in orange, yellow and green before turning red in summer. In autumn, they become dark red with a golden-yellow margin. In spring, its small yellow flowers stand out against the foliage, as do its bright red berries in late summer. It prefers to grow in full sun or partial shade in well-drained sandy to clayey soil, not too dry in summer.

Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry or Thunberg's barberry, is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub of the berberidaceae family, native to Japan. It has a spreading, low-growing habit and Golden Ruby forms a small, compact bushy clump, reaching 30 cm high and 20 cm wide at maturity. The foliage is the main feature of this barberry. It consists of rounded, 2 to 3 cm long, obovate (ovate, with the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part), glossy leaves. When they first emerge, they are orange to coral or yellow and green, then as they mature, they turn red. In April-May, clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped, 1 cm long flowers are pale yellow tinged with red on the outside. They are nectar-rich and are followed in September-October by a few small, bright red round, 6 to 8 mm long fruits. They persist on the branches for part of the winter. The foliage takes on a beautiful brick red colour with a yellow margin before falling in October-November.

Berberis thunbergii Golden Ruby is hardy down to -30°C and grows in full sun in any well-drained soil, even chalky, poor or rocky, but not too dry in summer. It is resistant to diseases. It is naturally compact so does not require pruning and requires little maintenance. Golden Ruby is perfect in a border, at the front of a bed, planted en masse, with other plants, or as a solitary plant on the terrace or patio. It can be paired with grey-leaved shrubs like Artemisia 'Powis Castle' for a beautiful combination of colours. Also, consider pairing it with small Pieris and colourful heucheras.