About

'Golden Carpet' is a compact, deciduous shrub that grows close to the ground, featuring oval leaves that are golden-yellow and shift to orange in the fall. In spring, it produces small pink flowers, which are succeeded by vibrant red berries in autumn. This plant is well-suited for use as a low hedge.

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
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
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
Propagation
Propagate 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