Deciduous Perennial Dense, Compact, Mounded Shrub in the Berberidaceae Family
Buy Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry
Size
Notes
Price
Availability
A stunning dwarf shrub that showcases vibrant crimson foliage and small yellow flowers in spring, adding a pop of color to your garden. Its striking red berries in the fall extend the season of interest well into winter
Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry is a dwarf, densely branched deciduous shrub grown for its rich reddish-purple foliage, which deepens further in fall. Small pale yellow flowers appear along the stems in mid-spring, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter. Originating as a compact sport of the species in the 1940s (also known historically as 'Atropurpurea Nana'), it keeps a naturally tidy, mounded shape that needs very little pruning. Full sun brings out the deepest color, though it tolerates partial shade and a wide range of soils once established.
Pros
Deep reddish-purple foliage that deepens further in fall
Naturally dwarf, dense, mounded habit needs almost no pruning
Drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to many soils
Deer-resistant thanks to its spiny branches
Cons
Sharp spines make pruning and handling difficult
Self-seeds readily and is considered invasive in several states
Susceptible to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and a few other pests
Highlights
Compact dwarf size, ideal for small spaces
Season-long reddish-purple color
Very low pruning needs
Deer resistant
Plant Data
Mature Size
18 - 24 inches
tall. 24 - 36 inches
wide.
Growth Rate
Medium
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Medium : Drought-tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil and dislikes standing water.
Zones
4a - 8b
(Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags
Attracts Birds, Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, 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
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
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.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
No Pricing or Availability Right Now
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.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!