How to Plant & Care For a Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry Shrub?

Answer 1

The Japanese barberry is a small, deciduous shrub, bearing reddish purple broadleaf foliage and thorns flowering in the spring. The Japanese barberry, traditionally used for bordering or hedging, is used in a variety of landscapes. Follow these steps to plant and care for a crimson pygmy Japanese barberry.

• Step 1: Consider the climate and location. Native to Eurasia, the Japanese barberry shrub can tolerate a variety of conditions and are best grown in zones 4-8. The crimson pygmy Japanese barberry shrub is a four- season plant, tolerating even the coldest months.

• Step 2: Consider the matured size of the crimson pygmy Japanese barberry. This shrub will grow to a height of 1 ½ to 2 feet and spread to 2 ½ to 3 feet in width. Habitually, this shrub grows at a medium growth rate in a mounded shape.

• Step 3: Consider the sun and soil requirements for the shrub. The crimson pygmy Japanese barberry shrub requires a well-drained, acidic soil. Although this shrub prefers sun, they have gained popularity because they tolerate a variety of conditions such as shade, wind and drought. To maintain the vibrant, purple-red leaf color shrubs are best placed in full sun. Shade will change the shrubs leaf coloring to green. Japanese barberry shrubs are useful in erosion management or wildlife resistance.

• Step 4: Consider the placement location. These shrubs are good for bordering, group plantings or taller ground coverage adding a splash of color to the landscape. Clusters of yellow flowers and radiant red berries add a vibrant dash of color persistent from spring through winter.

• Step 5: Water the shrub regularly. Japanese barberry shrubs should be watered weekly or more often with intense heat, especially during the first growing season in order to establish a deep seeded rooting system.

• Step 6: Fertilize the shrub prior to new growth sprouts in the spring time.

• Step 7: Prune the shrub. Shearing the shrub should be done in the winter months to keep the shrub nicely shaped.

Traditionally, the Japanese barberry, reaching a mature height and width of 6 feet, offered a fence style bordering to its landscape. The crimson pygmy Japanese barberry with a matured height and width of approximately 2 feet offers an excellent alternative to group planting or ground coverage. Proper placement and continued care for your crimson pygmy Japanese barberry will accentuate the purple-red foliage sprinkled with spring yellow flowers and winter red berries enhancing your landscape throughout the seasons.