About
This evergreen shrub typically reaches a height of approximately 1.5 meters and features a spreading habit. Its lanceolate, dark green leaves can grow up to 10 centimeters in length and possess spiny, serrated edges. In late spring and early summer, the plant produces clusters of golden-yellow flowers that emerge from the leaf axils, which are succeeded by blue-black berries measuring up to 1 centimeter.
About the genus
Berberis consists of shrubs that can be either deciduous or evergreen, characterized by their spiny branches and simple leaves that may have spine-like serrations. The plants produce small yellow or orange flowers, which appear in clusters or racemes in the leaf axils, eventually yielding small berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- W Hubei, China
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Tolerant of a range of soils and locations, but grows best in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, though flowering and fruiting are best in full sun. See berberis cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8; trim hedges after flowering.
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in early spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sometimes by honey fungus