Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'
Common Name(s):
Crimson Pygmy
Japanese Dwarf Barberry
Synonym:
Berberis thunbergii 'Areopurpurea Nana'
Crimson Beauty
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:
Red/Purple
Obovate leaves, variably sized to 1 1/4" long, red in color
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves turn attractive shades of orange, yellow and red 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:
4-7'
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.
Common Problems
Spiny stems often trap unsightly wind-blown trash.
Diseases:
Some susceptibility to bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, root rots and wilt
Insects:
Some susceptibility to aphids, barberry webworm, spider mites, and scale.
Environmental Problems:
Too much water, extreme heat causes scorch, late frost, high humidity leads to fungal problems, invasive
Pests:
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.