Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea Rose Glow (Japanese Barberry)

Award-winning Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Rose Glow’ (Japanese Barberry) is a charming, small, deciduous shrub with an eye-catching foliage of deep rose-red leaves mottled with pink and white. Tiny, pale yellow flowers appear in mid-late spring, but are insignificant in comparison to the foliage.

Award-winning Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Rose Glow' (Japanese Barberry) is a charming, small, deciduous shrub with an eye-catching foliage of deep rose-red leaves mottled with pink and white. Tiny, pale yellow flowers appear in mid-late spring, but are insignificant in comparison to the foliage. They are followed by an abundant crop of bright red berries in the fall, which are attractive to birds and often remain on the spiny stems after the leaves have fallen, therefore extending the season of interest of this ornamental shrub through the winter.

  • Grows with a compact and bushy habit to 5 ft. tall (150 cm) and 4 ft. wide (120 cm).
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. 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!
  • Fairly pest-free, easy to grow and to care for. May be subject to powdery mildews.
  • Japanese Barberry is very adaptable and an excellent choice as a single specimen plant or massed in beds, borders, as an informal screen or hedge.
  • 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 4'
– 5'
(120cm
– 150cm)
Spread 3'
– 4'
(90cm
– 120cm)
Spacing 48″ (120cm)
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, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage