A dwarf compact red leaf Barberry. Reported to be an improved form of Pygmy Crimson Barberry.
Pronunciation
(Ber-ber-is)(thun-BER-jee-a)
Plant Type
All Plants, Shrubs Deciduous
Sunlight
for maximum foliage color it needs full sun, in shaded conditions the foliage color will fade to greenish purple
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
average
Flowers
small yellow pendulant with purple veins
Fruit
red berries
Leaves
deep dark red to burgundy foliage
Stems
spines
Roots
fibrous
Dimensions
18-24 inches by 18-24 inches, probably larger
Maintenance
A combination of the dense foliage and the spiny stems make this plant a garbage collector. They grab onto any piece of paper that blows through the yard. To avoid lots of punctures and scrapes, a good pair of gloves and a long sleeve shirt are required when cleaning this plant in the spring. Some pruning may be needed to maintain shape. If you like the flowers pruned after the blooming period.
Propagation
cuttings
Cultivar Origin
Developed by the Wavecrest Nursery, Michigan (USA)
Author's Notes
This shrub seems to have a deeper richer color than other Barberry atropurpurea cultivars I have seen. The ones at Olbrich Botanical Garden are a deep burgundy red color.
Notes & Reference
#01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr)