Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Tough, colorful foliage, classic CO barrier hedge. Note: invasive in some eastern states, not here. Sterile cultivars preferred.
On the CSU listlow to medium water2–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) F. D. Richards, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 4: (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~5 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Fall color
- Red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Formal, shearable hedge
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyJapanese barberry, reseeds aggressively; banned in several states
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
- Pruning: shearable.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Japanese barberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Japanese barberry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Japanese barberry?
- The main things to know: Japanese barberry, reseeds aggressively; banned in several states It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas. It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Japanese barberry get?
- It matures to about 2–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Japanese barberry?
- Space Japanese barberry about 5 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Japanese barberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Japanese barberry is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Japanese barberry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Japanese barberry grow?
- Japanese barberry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Japanese barberry turn in fall?
- Japanese barberry turns red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese barberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Japanese barberry deer-resistant?
- Japanese barberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Japanese barberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Japanese barberry is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Japanese barberry a good hedge plant?
- Yes. Japanese barberry takes shearing well and can be kept as a clipped, formal hedge, or left looser as an informal screen.
