Berberis x media Dual Jewel - Barberry

Berberis x media 'Dual Jewel' is a new variety of small-growing Barberry that remains decorative for a good part of the year, even in winter if it is not too severe. Its semi-evergreen foliage changes colour throughout the seasons, with its orange young shoots unfolding into small glossy leaves that are initially yellow and then greener in summer before turning reddish-orange in autumn and winter. This small bush with a dense habit requires little maintenance and easily finds its place in the garden or in a pot on a terrace. It can be a good alternative to boxwood in sunny locations and in cool soil.

'Dual Jewel' is a hybrid barberry, resulting from the cross-breeding of Berberis thunbergii and B. chenaultii, both native to Japan. It is a small bush of the Berberidaceae family that is characterised by a bushy, dense, slightly spreading habit, and semi-evergreen foliage in winter. Its branches, covered with yellow-brown bark, bear simple or trifurcate spines, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) long.

It grows quite fast, reaching an average height of 1 m (3.3 ft) with a spread of 80 cm (31.5 in) at maturity. The slightly arching branches bear compound leaves, 2 cm to 3 cm (0.8 in to 1.2 in) long, which are orange-coloured when they first emerge. They turn golden and then greenish in summer, before taking on a bright orange-red hue in autumn. 'Dual Jewel' has a low flowering rate, which occurs in April-May. The flowers appear in pendant clusters of 10 or more small flowers, scattered here and there among the foliage. The bell-shaped flowers, 1 cm (0.4 in) long, are pale yellow tinged with purple. They appear on the previous year's shoots. The flowers are nectar-rich, and appreciated by pollinating insects. They are followed in September-October by small oblong-shaped fruits that are bright red and can persist throughout part of the winter.

'Dual Jewel' is ideal for low hedges, whether they are informal or trimmed. It can also be planted in shrub borders, with forsythias, buddleias (e.g., Buddleja 'Naho Purple'), and dwarf abelias (e.g., Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', 'Petite Garden'), or with repeat-flowering roses in pink or orange shades, which it will enhance. It can also be planted in a large pot on a terrace or balcony, allowing the gardener to try their hand at topiary. In the foreground of a defensive hedge, it can be grown with, for example, Japanese Quince 'Cameo' and spiny gorse and broom.