Category: Invasive
Botanical Name: Berberis thunbergii
Common Name: Japanese Barberry
Description: Small oval smooth leaves are bright fresh green but in the fall they lovely shades of orange and then eventually deep red. Theses leave whorl around a central spiny stem that is laced with thorns. Growth habit is shrub-like but forms dense masses and may be hard to eradicate once established. Stems are zig-zag in shape. In the spring this species will leaf out fairly early. Produces small drooping pale yellow flower clusters in spring, later bright red oblong berries will persist. This invasive normally reaches 5′ by 5′. Moist area between ground and plant allows ticks to thrive!
Growing Conditions: A native understory species in Japan. Tolerant of clay soil, dry soil, erosion, and urban pollutants. In the winter the thick spiny stems may catch trash blowing in the wind! The plant was introduced by horticulturalists in 1875 by the Arnold Arboretum. Plant may spread through creeping roots but also when birds consume the berries spread occurs. It is recommended that one removed the top portion or crown to kill the plant and come back to search for fallen seeds until the seed bank is wiped out.
Plant Guide 