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Berberis koreana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
BER-ber-is kor-ee-AH-nah
Description

Korean barberry is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to Korea. 

The shrub will grow 4 to 6 feet tall and wide in full sun to partial shade. It is not picky about soil type as long as it is well-drained. Propagation is by stem cuttings and seeds. The plant will spread by suckers and form colonies.

The yellow flowers appear in pendulous clusters in spring and are followed by showy oval red berries that may persist into winter. The spiny dark green leaves turn a deep purple in fall. There are numerous spines on the stems.

Use the shrub as a specimen for four seasons of interest or in groups as a hedge or barrier.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   No significant problems

More information on Berberis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Red Tears'
    Leaves light green in summer, rich reddish purple in fall, arching branches, 6' high, rich red fruits in 4'' long clusters.
'Red Tears'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#spines#border planting#partial shade tolerant#perennial#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Red Tears'
    Leaves light green in summer, rich reddish purple in fall, arching branches, 6' high, rich red fruits in 4'' long clusters.
'Red Tears'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#spines#border planting#partial shade tolerant#perennial#weedy
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berberis
    Species:
    koreana
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer resistant
    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:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small, waxy, egg-shaped, bright red berries in fall and winter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small yellow flowers in hanging clusters in mid-spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, medium to dark green leaves; 1 to 3 in. long; rounded apex; spines on leaf margins; red-purple fall color
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems densely armed with short spines
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Security
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Problem for Children
    Weedy