Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pigmy'
Common name: 
Crimson Pigmy Japanese Barberry
Pronunciation: 
BER-ber-is thun-BER-jee-a at-ro-pur-PEWR-ree-a
Family: 
Berberidaceae
Genus: 
Berberis
Synonyms: 
Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pigmy'
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous shrub, dwarf, 2 ft (0.6 m) tall and 3 ft (0.9 m) wide, very dense, foliage is reddish or purplish in summer and red in fall.
  • Full sun needed to develop color.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Originated in Holland as a chance seedling and introduced in 1942.  Apparently originally named ‘Atropurpurea Nana’.  In addition to being sold as ‘Crimson Pigmy’, its also has been offered as ‘Crimson Beauty’, ‘Little Beauty ’, ‘Little Favourite’, and ‘Little Gem’.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: several in the parking lot south of Crop Science, notice the poorer color (less red) of those shaded by the Raywood Ash along 30th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, size comparison

    plant habit, size comparison

  • dwarf cultivars, 'Kobald' (green) and 'Crimson Pigmy'

    dwarf cultivars, 'Kobald' (green) and 'Crimson Pigmy'