Collection: Barberry - Berberis - Shrubs

Colorful foliage and low maintenance Barberry. Colors range from chartreuse greens, bright yellows, orange/reds and purple/blacks. Barberry provides loads of color summer through fall. Various sizes include dwarf mounded to upright columnar growth habits, ranging from 1 to 5 feet. Easy care as Barberry requires very little pruning, but may be pruned to shape in the summer. Plant in full sun where there is well drained soil. A great durable deer resistant and burn resistant shrub.

A bush with dense, red and pinkish leaves grows in a mulched garden bed, with green and flowering plants blurred in the background.

FAQs

Mature size varies widely by variety, with dwarf types remaining compact at around 2 feet tall and columnar or upright cultivars reaching several feet in height. Checking the mature size listed for each variety helps match the right barberry shrub to hedges, borders, or accent planting spots.

Yes, their dense branching and sharp thorns make barberry shrubs a popular choice for security hedges and property borders. Planting them in a row along a fence line or property edge creates a low-maintenance barrier that also adds seasonal color from vibrant foliage.

Barberry shrubs thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt to most well-drained soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. Full sun brings out the richest foliage color, while well-draining soil prevents root issues since these shrubs prefer to stay on the drier side once established.

Varieties range from mounded dwarf forms with deep purple or maroon leaves to upright, columnar types featuring coral, orange, or gold tones. Choosing between them typically depends on whether you need a low border plant, a vertical accent, or a bold color contrast in the landscape.

Yes, barberry branches carry sharp thorns, so gloves are recommended when planting, pruning, or shaping these shrubs. Protective gloves make it easier to work close to the branches during early spring trimming without snagging on the spines.