When I saw it at the nursery it was the most beautiful shade of pumpkin orange. It was advertised as a columnar form of Barberry.
I planted it about four years ago as a two gallon shrub that measured about 18 inches high. The plant in the photo measures right at six feet... so I think it fair to say it is a vigorous grower. It has never, however, been pumpkin orange since the day I first saw it.
Anyone buying this plant should also know it will not remain columnar without assistance from you. Beginning with its second year in the ground I began to contain the stems within a modified form of peony support. I've installed three supports since it began to grow... and I think columnar pretty well defines its form these days.
'Orange Rocket' is a excellent shrub... as long as you understand its needs... and that pretty well boils down to structural support as it grows.
