Berberis thunbergii
Common name: 
Japanese Barberry
Pronunciation: 
BER-ber-is thun-BER-jee-a
Family: 
Berberidaceae
Genus: 
Berberis
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub, 3-6+ ft (0.9-1.8 m), very dense, rounded form; thorny; single spines, not parted, usually 1-1.5 mm long.  Leaves alternate, but appear in clusters, simple, obovate to spatulate-oblong, small, 1.3-3.2 cm long, variable in size, narrow base, margin entire.  Flowers yellowish, about 1 cm wide, on a long pedicel.  Fruit small (8 mm), red, ellipsoid, persisting into winter.
  • Sun to part shade, drought tolerant, very adaptable, but does not withstand extremely moist conditions.
  • Many cultivars, including:
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native to Japan.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • flowers and leaves, spring

    flowers and leaves, spring

  • branch and leaves

    branch and leaves

  • leaves and fruit, fall

    leaves and fruit, fall

  • plant habit, fall

    plant habit, fall

  • leaves and fruit, late fall

    leaves and fruit, late fall

  • plant habit, early winter, fruiting

    plant habit, early winter, fruiting

  • fruit, winter

    fruit, winter

  • plant habit, winter

    plant habit, winter

  • winter twigs

    winter twigs