Berberis x media Red Jewel - Barberry

Berberis x media 'Red Jewel' is a beautiful thorny bush, compact with small semi-evergreen dark red leaves that turn dark green when mature, and golden yellow spring flowering.

Originally from temperate regions, the Red Jewel Barberry or Berberis forms a compact bush, 2m (6ft 7in) in height, evergreen and thorny. It is characterized by rounded, semi-evergreen, serrated, shiny leaves, 3cm (1.2in) long which are bronze red turning dark green when mature. Its abundant, yellow, spring flowering can be followed by the production of small, blue berries, but this is quite rare.

Berberis x media 'Red Jewel', hardy down to -15°C (5°F), grows in any moist, well-drained soil, even chalky, poor or stony, in a sunny position or partial shade in the south. It requires little maintenance, just make sure to keep the soil moist, especially in summer. Prune hedges in spring and September.

Berberis x media 'Red Jewel' is often used as a defensive hedge, combined with species with golden or silver foliage. Beautiful grouped with forsythias and abelias.