Water Wise Plants

BER-ber-is thun-BERG-ee-a

Japanese Barberry

Shrub

2 ft x 3 ft

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Full to half sun

Yellow

Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pigmy’ adds great dramatic foliage color to the garden. When planted in full sun, the small leaves on this spiny, naturally graceful plant are a deep purplish red. The purple red leaf color contrasts nicely with the yellow flowers that appear in spring. If grown in semi-shade, the foliage takes on a greener cast. In the fall, the leaves turn a vivid red before falling. The small size makes this plant an easy addition to any garden.

PAGD notes: In our original planting, three pygmy barberries were planted along the front bed. Unfortunately, only one plant survived, but it is doing well. Barberries are slow growing plants and it took a while for them to get established in the garden. More frequent watering would have benefited these plants.