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Native alternative(s) for Berberis triacanthophora:
Berberis canadensis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis verruculosa Berberis verruculosa
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Smilax smallii Form (Moore County, NC)-Early Fall

Berberis triacanthophora

Phonetic Spelling
ber-BER-is try-ah-kan-tho-FOR-ah
Description

This Barberry has an upright, graceful spreading habit. The flowers are showy and the red fruit last into winter. It is well armed with sharp leaf tips and plentiful spines on the stems. Drought tolerate once established. Spreads by suckers and can form thickets.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cally Rose'
'Cally Rose'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#shrub#winter interest#spreading#spines#partial shade tolerant#winter fruits#shrub borders#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cally Rose'
'Cally Rose'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#shrub#winter interest#spreading#spines#partial shade tolerant#winter fruits#shrub borders#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Species:
    triacanthophora
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Native Central China
    Wildlife Value:
    Seldom damaged by deer
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    0.3-in., bluish-black fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pale yellow to white flowers with a reddish tinge. Produced in clusters of usually three to five, each on its slender stalk 1⁄2 to 1 1⁄8 in.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, bright green leaves; purplish-red winter color with sharp tips. Margins decurved, set with one to five slender teeth at each side
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Brown stems have 3 parted spines
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Security
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns