Habitat

• native to central China
• zone 6

Habit and Form

• grows to 6' to 8' tall and 4' to 6' wide
• upright, but dense and twiggy
• opens at the base with age
• an evergreen shrub

Summer Foliage

• evergreen, leathery leaves
• dark green, shiny and heavily-spined
• leaves are 2" to 4" long; 0.5" wide
• alternate arrangement, but often in "whorl-like" appearance clusters at the nodes

Autumn Foliage

• evergreen, but develops a bronze or wine color in the fall and winter months

Flowers

• yellow and small, but somewhat showy
• typically abundant
• blooms in April and May

Fruit

• bluish-black berries in fall
• inconspicuous

Bark

• yellowish-brown
• three spines at the nodes; 0.5" to 1.25" long

Culture

• easily transplanted
• prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils
• full sun is best or light shade
• tolerant of pruning, but looks best with natural growth
• periodic rejuvenation pruning can be employed

Landscape Use

• borders and hedges
• for high quality foliage
• mass plantings
• possibly as a specimen
• barrier due to thorniness
• site out of sweeping winds

Liabilities

• although maybe the hardiest of the evergreen barberries, it can still suffer significant leaf loss and burn due to winter desiccation
• large thorns and spiny leaves make the plant difficult to manage
• avoid use where small children will be present
• collects litter and leaves around the base

ID Features

• large, spiny, evergreen, shiny leaves
• large, three-branched spines at nodes
• yellow-brown bark on stems
• yellow flowers in spring
• bluish-black fruit in fall

Propagation

• by cuttings, either in summer or fall
• cuttings root easily, but must not be allowed to remain wet following rooting
• also by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Compactum' - More compact and lower growing than the species. Up to around 5' tall.

'Nana' - Another compact form. Grows to 3' to 4' tall, forming a dense mound. Not easy to locate in commerce.

'Spring Glory' (also listed as 'Webberi' and 'Webb') - New growth is tinted red. Probably has better than average winter coloration as well.