About
Berberis jamesiana is a robust, upright shrub that eventually develops an arching form. Its leaves are oval and olive-green, reaching lengths of up to 10 cm, and they change to shades of red or yellow in the fall. In early summer, this plant produces drooping clusters of small yellow flowers, each measuring up to 10 cm in length. Following the flowering period, it bears clusters of small, translucent berries that begin as cream and transition through pink to a coral-red hue as they ripen.
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
- North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- 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 2; trim hedges after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed; or by softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews