Crimson Pygmy Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'

Crimson Pygmy Barberry is a well-branched dwarf deciduous  shrub valued for its vibrant foliage that grows full to the ground.  The small oval leaves are a crimson red with a bronze tinge that becomes brilliant red in fall.  Tiny yellow flowers bloom in spring and are followed by abundant bright red fruits that stay on the stems after the leaves fall.  Best color in  full sun and well-drained soils.  Drought and deer resistant. 

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance.  Some susceptibility to bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, root rots, wilt, aphids, barberry webworm, and scale.  Highly invasive in the Eastern States.

LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings,  Borders,  Woodland Gardens,  Wildlife Gardens,  Xeriscape,  Rock Gardens,  Groundcover, Foundation Plantings, Hedges, and Containers

COMPANION PLANTS:  Wood Spurge,  Lavender,  Ann Magnolia

IMAGES: Michael Rivera,  University of Georgia, Research and Education Garden flora 44,  CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Photo by David J. Stang, Berberis thunbergii var 1zz, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) Photo by David J. Stang,  Berberis thunbergii Crimson Pygmy 1zz,  CC BY-SA 4.0

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.