Japanese Barberry 'Aria'

Japanese barberry 'Aria' (Berberis thunbergii 'Aria') is a shrub that looks from a distance like a pale, hazy cloud. The small leaves have a green base densely sprinkled with creamy-white and pale-yellow speckles and streaks, and in autumn orange, yellow and red tones join the variegation.

The shrub grows 0.9-1.8 m tall and 1.2-2 m wide, is undemanding about soil and clips beautifully. Use it for low thorny hedges, edging and groups on a bank, town gardens included. The colouring is brightest in full sun: in partial shade the variegation noticeably fades.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The flowers of this barberry are modest, but the bright red berries are, along with the foliage, its main autumn attraction.
• Dimensions: A mature shrub holds 0.9-1.8 m in height and 1.2-2 m in width.
• Hardiness: Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Flowering: In April-May the branches are covered with dainty pale-yellow flowers.
• Light: It shows best in full sun; it tolerates partial shade, but the leaf colour fades there.
• Soil: It takes readily to any garden soil with good drainage; heavy, waterlogged sites will not do.
• Watering: Water from moderate to sparing: it handles heat and drought easily, but dislikes standing water.
• Care: Care is minimal and the shrub takes clipping beautifully; watch for leaf spot, aphids and scale insects.
• Landscape use: Fine in low thorny hedges, edgings and groups - including in urban settings.