Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea Admiration (Japanese Barberry)
Incredibly beautiful, award-winning Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Admiration’ (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, dwarf, deciduous shrub with a showy foliage of glowing coral-red leaves adorned with thin golden-yellow margins. The striking coloring remains throughout the summer and deepens in fall.
Incredibly beautiful, award-winning Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration' (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, dwarf, deciduous shrub with a showy foliage of glowing coral-red leaves adorned with thin golden-yellow margins. The striking coloring remains throughout the summer and deepens in fall. 'Admiration' is perfect for brightening borders or containers and ideal for small gardens.
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows with a tight compact habit to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 cm).
- Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Best foliage color when grown in full sun. Japanese Barberry is not fussy about soils provided they are not soggy or wet. Good drainage is essential.
- Drought, pollution, deer, clay or dry soil tolerant!
- Japanese Barberry is very adaptable. Excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds, borders, as informal screens or hedges.
- Fairly pest-free, easy to grow and to care for. May be subject to powdery mildews.
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.
- Berberis thunbergii species is invasive in the United States. The invasive potential of the more than 40 cultivars of Japanese Barberry is not well known.
- Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 5 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Berberis – Barberries |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter |
| Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24″ (60cm) |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Small Gardens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |









