Atropurpurea Nana Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana')
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Deciduous Perennial Dense, Compact, Mounded Shrub in the Berberidaceae Family
A compact, dwarf barberry with rich burgundy-purple foliage all season -- the original selection behind the widely sold 'Crimson Pygmy.'

Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana' is a compact, dwarf cultivar of the Japanese barberry shrub. This variety is prized for its vibrant purple foliage that provides striking color throughout the growing season. The small, oval leaves emerge a deep burgundy in spring, maintaining their rich, almost black-purple hue through summer before transitioning to brilliant scarlet tones in fall. Reaching only 2-3 feet tall and wide at maturity, 'Atropurpurea Nana' has a rounded, dense growth habit that makes it well-suited for low borders, foundations, and mass plantings. Small yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries in autumn that provide additional seasonal interest. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8, this diminutive barberry thrives in full sun to partial shade and a variety of well-drained soil types. Its compact size, exceptional color, and low-maintenance nature make 'Atropurpurea Nana' a standout choice for adding bold foliage accents to the landscape.

Pros

  • Rich, season-long burgundy-to-purple foliage color
  • Compact dwarf size fits small spaces and foundation plantings
  • Very adaptable and tolerant of urban pollution and poor soil
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Cons

  • Sharp thorns make placement and pruning care important
  • Best color needs full sun; fades toward green in shade
  • Berberis thunbergii is regulated as invasive in a number of states; check local rules before planting
Highlights
  • The original 1942 selection later popularized in North America under the trade name 'Crimson Pygmy'
  • Compact, mounded dwarf habit, only 18-24in tall
  • Deep burgundy-purple color all season, brightening to scarlet in fall
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 18 - 24 inches tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium:

Tolerates dry to medium, well-drained soil once established, including some drought. Will not do well in poorly drained, wet soils.
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Fall Color, Foundation, Full Sun, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Mounded, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Rabbit Resistant, Shrub, Thorns, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Hot Dry Site, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period April To May
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Burgundy
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs beautifully with low, sun-loving companions such as Russian sage and coneflowers, or with other drought-tolerant perennials that share its need for good drainage.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

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