About
Berberis hypokerina is a compact evergreen shrub that typically reaches heights and widths of 60 cm to 2.5 m. Its stems are reddish-green and arch gracefully, supporting rigid, holly-like leaves that can grow up to 15 cm long and often display a white underside. In early summer, the plant produces dense clusters of lemon-yellow flowers, each measuring around 1 cm in diameter. These blooms give way to fruit in the autumn, which is blue-black with a white tinge.
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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- N Burma
- 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
- Grow in neutral to acid, 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