Berberis Thunbergii Rose Glow

Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow
The full botanical name of this very striking small colourful shrub is Berberis thunbergii atropurpea Rose Glow. The Atropurpea group of Berberis thunbergii are characterised by their rich red-purple foliage in spring & summer.

Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow or Japanese Barberry Rose Glow or Berberis Rose Glow, is a cultivar of the deciduous shrub Japanese Barberry with unusally eye-ctaching foliage. Introduced to the UK from the Netherlands in the 1950’s, it has been awarded both the RHS Award of Garden Merit, and Perfect for Pollinators designation. The shrub forms a natural rounded shape, with very thorny branches. When the new leaves emerge in spring, they are purple mottled with silver-pink and bright rose, maturing to a rich reddish-purple in summer, becoming a deep burgundy in autumn. Small yellow flowers in mid to late spring are followed by bright red berries which persist into the winter and are a favoured food for birds.

Height and Spread of Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow
Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow will grow to a mature height and spread of 1.5 metres in 10 to 20 years. 

How Hardy Is Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow
Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow is hardy in even the most severe continental climates.

How to Use Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow
Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow can be used as a specimen shrub in a rock garden or as part of a foundation planting or in a mixed border, where its striking foliage and winter berries provide year-round interest. It is an excellent choice for barrier hedges in almost any planting location, with the exception of wet ground. A mass planting on a difficult slope will provide excellent ground cover and erosion control with little or no required maintenance, and provide cover for wildlife. 

How to Care for Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow
Plant Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow in full sun or partial shade in with a north, east or west-facing aspect, in an exposed or sheltered position, in any well-drained soil. The best colour is achieved in full sun. It is very drought-resistant once established. Extremely tolerant of aerosol salt, Japanese Barberry Rose Glow is a great choice for hedging in coastal gardens, and will do equally well in even inner-city locations, as it is also very pollution tolerant. Its thorns make it rabbit and deer-resistant in country locations. If desired, prune after it has finished flowering in late spring or early summer, by cutting back all flowering stems by at least 1/3 of their length. 

Hardy and resistant to almost everything, Berberis thunbergii Rose Glow is an excellent low-maintenance landscape shrub for UK gardens! More on Berberis Thunbergii plants on our blog feature.