Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea - Purple Berberis

A dense deciduous, very spiny shrub with dark reddish purple leaves, which turn a rich red in autumn. The pale yellow flowers, suffused with red are followed by red berries in autumn, so this attractive shrub has a lot to offer. Berberis makes an excellent impenetrable hedge, which can either be kept tightly clipped as a formal hedge, or allowed to branch more freely, in which case flowering and fruiting will be better.

Site and soil

Tough and tolerant of most soils, except those which are very chalky; it’s best to avoid waterlogged soils.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 1.8m x 1.5m
After 20 years: 1.8m x 1.5m

Leaf and bark

Small obvate dark purple leaves, 3.5cm long, which turn a rich red in autumn are borne in the axil of each spine. The dark stems are set with spines.

Flower, seed and fruit

The small pale yellow flowers are tinged with red and open in April. The flowers are followed by oblong scarlet berries in autumn.

Uses

Berberis makes good formal and informal hedges and can be used for screening, as a specimen shrub and for security planting.

Wildlife

The flowers provide pollen for early insects and the berries are a food source for birds.