Japanese Barberry 'Atropurpurea Nana'

Japanese Barberry 'Atropurpurea Nana' (Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana') is a dense purple cushion that seems to clip itself. The tiny leaves hold their reddish-purple tone all summer, then they turn bright red in autumn above thorny reddish-brown shoots.

This is the classic choice for low edging, knee-high clipped hedges, groups in a rock garden and outdoor planters. A mature plant stays within 0.45-0.6 m tall and 0.75-0.9 m wide, which makes it lower and broader than columnar purple cultivars such as 'Chiquita' or 'Deep Purple'.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: Deer give the shrub a wide berth, but birds do not: the glossy red berries hold on the thorny shoots all winter and draw feathered visitors in.
• Dimensions: At 10 years it is 0.45-0.6 m high and 0.75-0.9 m wide.
• Hardiness: Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
• Flowering: In April and May small yellow flowers open - modest, but a pleasing companion to the foliage.
• Light: It shows best in full sun; it takes partial shade, but the richest leaf colour comes in an open spot.
• Soil: It takes any ordinary well-drained garden soil - the one thing it dislikes is a heavy waterlogged substrate.
• Watering: Watering is moderate, dry to medium: established bushes take drought in their stride.
• Care: It asks for almost nothing: clip a hedge after flowering, otherwise just tidy out what is spent.
• Landscape use: A low hedge or thorny barrier, groups, rockeries and single accents in a border.