Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'

'Crimson Pygmy' is the most popular form of the invasive Japanese barberry in the Berberidaceae family. It will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and somewhat wider in a rounded dense form.

'Crimson Pygmy' does best in full sun to maximize flower production, but does tolerate partial shade. It will do well in average well-drained moist to dry garden soil. It spreads by creeping roots and by self-seeding (assisted by birds that eat the fruit and distribute the seed). Prune to remove dead branches, rejuvenate older plants, or maintain it as a hedge. Be aware when pruning that flowers appear on new growth. Branches may root where they touch the ground.

In mid to late spring, pale yellow flowers appear in clusters and are followed by bright red berries in the fall. The showy leaves of this shrub are purplish in summer and turn red in the fall. Stems are spiny. It received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

This is an invasive species. See some native alternatives to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: While not many major problems occur with this plant, be aware of the spiny stems and the following potential susceptibilities: root rots, aphids, scale, wilt, barberry webworm, anthracnose, and bacterial leaf spot.  It can be affected by powdery mildew.

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.

More information on Berberis thunbergii.