General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
Plant Height: 30-36 inches
Plant Spread: 36-48:
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Fruit: Showy
Edible to birds
Flowers: Showy
Inconspicuous
Blooms on old wood
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Time: Spring
Uses: Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Fruit
Wildlife Attractant: Birds
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Stratify seeds: seeds require a cooling period prior to germination and are best planted in the Fall
Sow in situ
Can handle transplanting
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators: Various insects
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth
Child plants: 12 child plants

Image
Common names
  • Japanese Barberry
  • Barberry
  • Golden Japanese Barberry

Photo Gallery
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2014-06-20
Mature shrub in early summer
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2018-05-09
15 years old, stays nice and compact with a bit of pruning
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2018-05-09
Note that the underside of the leaves are much lighter in color
Location: Fairfax, VA
Date: 2022-03-29
One of my neighbors planted many of these. They say they like the
Location: Darwell Rolling Woods, Alberta
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-06-22
Location: My garden
Date: 2017-06-22
This foliage is not as gold as it is in less sun.
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2009-11-19
Fall color
Location: Zone 4 Wisconsin
Date: 6-6-11

Photo courtesy of Joy Creek Nursery

Photo courtesy of Singing Tree Gardens Nursery
  • Uploaded by Joy
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by goldfinch4 (Ripon, Wisconsin) on Oct 2, 2011 6:09 AM concerning plant:
    This shrub absolutely glows in my garden all spring and summer. Does have sharp thorny branches.
  • Posted by Bonehead (Planet Earth - Zone 8b) on Aug 22, 2014 1:25 PM concerning plant:
    This good all-around accent shrub is bright green-yellow in the early spring, brightens to a golden-yellow during the summer, then flames up to a golden-red in the fall. It grows to a well-behaved 3-4' mound. Although it needs little pruning, it is best to do so in early spring before it leafs out, when the form of the shrub is more apparent. Beware of the sharp thorns!
Plant Events from our members
christine2 On May 5, 2017 Transplanted
Moved from Pool
christine2 On May 1, 2008 Obtained plant
5
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