Berberis x gladwynensis 'William Penn'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ber-BER-is glad-win-EN-sis
- Description
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William Penn barberry is a broadleaf evergreen cultivar in the barberry family (Bereridaceae) derived from crossing B. verruculosa and B. gagnepainii and introduced by the Henry Foundation of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.
This shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide in a rounded form, preferring full sun to partial shade in well-drained garden soil. It can be lightly pruned in winter if needed to shape. Drought and deer tolerant. Spreads to form thickets. Birds will spread the seeds by eating the fruits.
Small yellow flowers appear in clusters in early spring and are followed by red berries. The glossy green leaves turn a red-bronze in fall. Leaves and stems are spiny. It is not hardy in areas where the temperatures drop to zero F.
The spiny stems make it a good choice for a privacy screen or security plant. Use in a drought-tolerant or winter garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for berberis sawfly and powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Family:
- Bereridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees and birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- seldom damaged by deer, drought-tolerant, and tolerates a range of soil types
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Tiny bright yellow flowers in dangling clusters in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, spiny, lustrous, and dark green leaves that turn a red-bronze winter color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems with spines
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Security
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
