Berberis Thunbergii, or Japanese Barberry, is a dependable, hardy deciduous shrub which also delivers a hit of autumn colour and winter red berries, earning the RHS Perfect for Pollinators designation for its spring blooms. Originating in Japan, Berberis thunbergii has been cultivated in the UK for more than a century and is valued as a hedging plant particularly for keeping intruders at bay. Growing on thorny shoots, the green leaves, obovate and up to 3 cm long, turn brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. In mid to late spring, its single yellow flowers provide a pleasant picture and will attract bees and butterflies. The flowers are followed by brilliant red berries in autumn which persist into the winter, attracting birds to your garden. It is compact and dense in its growth habit.
Hardy in even the most severe climates, Berberis thunbergii will grow to a mature height and spread of 1-1.5 metres in 10 to 20 years. They respond very well to pruning, and will even grow back if cut right down to the ground. If growing Japanese Barberry as a hedge, space plants 0.75 metres apart.
Plant Berberis thunbergii in full sun or partial shade in an exposed or sheltered position in any well-drained soil. For the best autumn colour and berries, choose a spot in full sun. It will not tolerate wet soil but survive short periods of drought. Japanese Barberry is an ideal seaside shrub, as it is highly tolerant of salt, and also will do well in city gardens, since it is tolerant of pollution. As it is deer-resistant, country gardeners will find it to be a good fit as well. Mulch well to prevent seeds taking root.
Berberis thunbergii is a reliable landscaping shrub for most planting situations. Pruned or left to grow naturally, it can be used as an effective barrier hedge, as its dense, thorny stems will deter intruders of all sorts. In hot, dry spots, such as next to a drive or car park, it will still put on an attractive show year-round. It's a good low-maintenance foundation planting and can solve the problem of a dry, erosion-prone slope. One plant used as an accent will provide an autumn pop of colour and winter interest with its berries.
Berberis thunbergii is a low-maintenance but high-impact shrub which will bring its lovely spring flowers, bright autumn foliage, and brilliant winter berries to your landscape!
*All our plants come with peat-free Compost.
Collection of items in stock is welcomed. Please get in touch with us to confirm a collection date.
Costs and couriers:
The cost of delivery is determined by the weight and dimensions of your order, as well as the location of the delivery address. Our plants, due to their size, are typically dispatched via pallet deliveries. This method can take 2-4 working days, or you can opt for our next-day pallet delivery service for an additional fee.
For areas within the East Midlands, a full pallet delivery cost will start from ?0, while for areas such as London, the costs will be around ?0-80; for areas in Scotland, the delivery cost can be up to ?00 per pallet. A dedicated van can be arranged for specific items bigger than pallet size, please contact us for a quote.
We make every effort to deliver the goods as soon as possible after receiving your order. Out-of-stock items will go on backorder, and we will let you know when they become available and confirm a delivery date with you.