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Berberis buxifolia 'Nana'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is buks-ih-FOL-ee-ah
Description

Dwarf Magellan Barberry 'Nana' is a dwarf cultivar of Berberis buxifolia, an evergreen low growing thorny shrub in the barberry family. It is typically found in nature on coastal scrub, forest margins, clearings and moister areas in grass. The dwarf 'Nana' is the most common of this species and is very free flowering but produced little or no fruit. This plant can be pruned back severely and resprout from the base. Drought tolerant, this slow-growing plant has a tiering habit and cane-like growth with tendency to sucker and form colonies.

It is best planted in small groups in shade or woodland gardens. It also does well as a specimen or in foundation or shrub borders. It does not like highly alkaline soils and will become chlorotic in high pH soils and desiccating winds. This plant has known pest problems.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind.  Chlorosis on high pH soils; leaves can look burned but stems will regrow leaves next spring.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

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Tags:
#evergreen#dwarf#security plant#spines#border planting#perennial#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#dwarf#security plant#spines#border planting#perennial#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Species:
    buxifolia
    Family:
    Berberidacae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America, Chile and Argentina
    Distribution:
    Europe and Australia
    Edibility:
    Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are bright yellow and are mildly fragrant. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate and simple. Leaflets have spine-tipped teeth, bases sometimes overlap, they are rigid and olive-green in color. New leaves red-tinted turn glossy dark green.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Security
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns