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
- 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'
- 'Red Tears'
- Tags:
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- 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'
- 'Red Tears'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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-
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
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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
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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
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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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
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-
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
