Korean Barberry

Korean Barberry (Berberis koreana) is a powerful, thorny shrub from Korea that works in the garden as both ornament and boundary. In summer the large oval leaves are smooth and matt green, in autumn they turn deep red and purple, and in spring the bush is hung with drooping golden-yellow racemes.

Plant it where you need a tall impenetrable hedge, a windbreak or a large accent in a border: in 5-10 years it reaches 1.5-2.5 m in height and width. Unlike the dwarf Japanese barberry cultivars, this is the true species, with big leaves and bright red fruit that hangs on into winter.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The hanging yellow racemes are pleasantly fragrant, and the bright red berries that follow them cling to the branches right through to winter.
• Dimensions: In 10 years it reaches 1.5-2.5 m in height and the same across.
• Hardiness: It takes down to -20 °C (USDA zone 6).
• Flowering: In April and May the shrub is hung with golden-yellow drooping clusters.
• Light: It enjoys full sun or partial shade; an easterly, southerly or westerly aspect suits it.
• Soil: It takes chalk, clay, loam or sand happily - acid, neutral or alkaline alike.
• Watering: Watering is moderate: keep the soil moist and well drained, with no standing water.
• Care: Prune to RHS group 8: after flowering thin the bush out and shorten the shoots.
• Landscape use: Hedging and screens, borders, coastal gardens and large containers.
• Origin: A wild species endemic to Korea; the name Berberis koreana Palib. is accepted in POWO, the Kew plant names database.