Plant field guide
Barberry (Crimson Pygmy)
The most popular barberry variety. Compact mounding shrub with deep crimson-red foliage all season. Small yellow flowers in spring followed by bright red berries. Color intensifies in full sun.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spread
- 24 in (61 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–8; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March, April.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Thorny - wear gloves when pruning. Full sun needed for best red color. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Deer proof. Check local regulations - banned in some states as invasive.
Pruning
Shear to shape in early spring. Can be cut back hard to rejuvenate. Wear thick gloves.
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release
Early spring if needed
Mulch
2-3 inches of organic mulch.