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Berberis thunbergia 'Golden Rocket'

Common Name(s):

Golden rocket barberry

Japanese Barberry

Synonym:

​

Upright Yellow barberry

Flower:

Yellow

Blooms :

Apr

to:

May

Small, cup shaped with 6 yellow petals

Botanical Description

Fragrant?

NO

Family:

Berberidaceae

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Foliage:

Chartruse

Obovate chartruse leaves, variably sized to 1 1/4� long.

Fall Color?

YES

Leaves turn attractive shades of yellow in fall.

Deciduous

Photo by: 

Heading 6

Red berries persist through winter

Oregon Native?

NO

West State Native?

NO

Origins:

Cultivar of Japanese barberry

Site Selection

Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Water Needs:

L

Sun Needs:

Full Sun

Deer Resistant?

YES

Firewise?

YES

Height:

3-6'

Spread:

2-3;

Growth Rate:

Slow

Native Habitat:

Woodlands, stream banks

Soil:

Acid or neutral soil.

Care Recommendations

Maintenance Level:

Low

Fertilizer:

Benefits from light application of balanced fertilizer in spring

Mulch:

Shredded bark, compost, or leaf mold

Give full sun, minimal water, fertilize in spring, can be pruned late winter/early spring, 2-3" mulch

Long Term:

Winter:

Wrap plants to shield from cold and snow if needed

Spring:

Light pruning to shape and remove winter damage, water if dry, apply slow release fertilizer

Summer:

Full sun for best color, well-drained soil, regular watering

Fall:

Water established plants less, apply mulch for wintern protection

General Care Comments:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but performs best with full sun. This is a very adaptable shrub that is tolerant of urban conditions. Plants also tolerates heat and drought, no major pests

Common Problems

Spiny stems often trap unsightly wind-blown trash.

Diseases:

Some susceptibility to bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, root rots and wilt

Insects:

Some susceptibility to aphids, barberry webworm barerry looper, and scale.

Environmental Problems:

Invasive, alters soil pH and microbial community, tick habitat

Pests:

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