Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration' (PBR)
ABOUT
The 'Admiration' Barberry is a visually striking plant that features a unique combination of vibrant colors and textures, creating a stunning ornamental appeal. The foliage is the most noticeable characteristic, with leaves that display a brilliant blend of reddish-purple, with a vivid lime-yellow edging that contrasts sharply with its darker center. The leaves are small, oval to spoon-shaped, and grow densely on the branches, providing a full, bushy appearance. As the seasons change, the foliage may take on different hues, adding to the plant's visual interest throughout the year. In addition to the colorful foliage, the 'Admiration' Barberry produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring that are yellowish in color, which can add a subtle accent to the plant's overall display. These flowers may give way to small, bright red berries that can persist into the winter and provide a pop of color against the duller winter landscape. The berries also attract birds, adding an element of wildlife interest to the plant. The stems and branches of the 'Admiration' Barberry are thorny, providing a natural deterrent to pests and creating an effective barrier when the plant is used in landscaping. These thorns, along with the dense growth habit of the foliage, contribute to the plant's textured appearance, inviting closer inspection and admiration. Overall, the 'Admiration' Barberry is a compact and highly decorative shrub that is appreciated for its striking color contrasts, textural foliage, and year-round beauty. Whether used as a focal point, a hedge, or a contrast plant in a garden setting, it is sure to draw the eye and become a topic of conversation.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Berberidaceae.
Synonyms
Japanese Barberry, Red Barberry, Purple Japanese Barberry, Crimson Pygmy Barberry.
Common names
Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration'
ToxicityTo humans
The Japanese barberry is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it can cause mild upset if parts of the plant, particularly the berries, are ingested. It is not common for this plant to cause severe poisoning, and most people will not have any symptoms at all if they touch or ingest small amounts of the plant. However, if large quantities are consumed, it might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
To pets
Japanese barberry is similarly not highly toxic to pets, but ingestion of parts of the plant could result in mild gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms of poisoning in pets might include vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy if they consume large amounts of the plant. It is still recommended to prevent pets from ingesting the plant to avoid any potential discomfort.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Red
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: This cultivar is valued for its striking red-purple foliage and compact, rounded habit, making it a popular choice for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes.
- Seasonal Interest: It offers year-round interest with its persistent leaves that change colors through the seasons, and bright red berries that often last into winter.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and being relatively pest and disease resistant.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for regions with low rainfall or for gardeners seeking water-wise plants.
- Wildlife Support: Its berries provide food for birds during the fall and winter months, supporting local wildlife even during scarce times.
- Erosion Control: This sturdy shrub can help prevent soil erosion when planted on slopes or in areas susceptible to erosion.
- Privacy Screen: When planted in groups or rows, it can form an effective privacy screen or hedge, offering a natural barrier that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- Adaptability: 'Admiration' adapts well to a variety of soil types and can tolerate urban pollution, making it suitable for city gardens as well as rural areas.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photographic Subject: 'Admiration' Barberry with its vibrant red-purple foliage and compact form, makes an excellent subject for photographers, especially those specializing in garden and plant photography.
- Ink Production: The dark, reddish-purple leaves of the plant may be used to create natural dyes for ink, providing a unique color derived from plant pigments.
- Seasonal Decorations: The colorful foliage and red berries can be harvested and used in floral arrangements or wreaths, especially in the fall when the colors complement seasonal themes.
- Hobbyist Projects: Enthusiasts of miniature landscapes or fairy gardens might use this compact shrub as a colorful element in their tiny creations.
- Art Supplies: The colorful leaves can be pressed and dried to be used in art projects like scrapbooking or decoupage.
- Culinary Presentation: While not edible, the vibrant leaves can be used as a temporary garnish for plating in high-end culinary presentations, immediately removed before consumption.
- Privacy Screens: When grown closely together in rows, they can create low, decorative privacy screens for certain areas of a garden or patio.
- Education: 'Admiration' Barberry can be used as a teaching tool by horticulturists and botany educators to illustrate cultivar development and plant genetics.
- Barrier Plantings: Because of its thorny nature, the plant can be used as a deterrence barrier against small animals and foot traffic when planted around vulnerable areas of a garden.
- Theme Gardens: This plant can be a featured specimen in color-themed gardens, contributing its deep red-purple hue to a monochromatic garden design or a gothic-themed garden.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Barberry is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Barberry is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: The spines of the Japanese Barberry are sharp, and the plant has traditionally been used in hedges to keep out intruders, symbolizing safety and defense.
- Purification: In some cultures, the berries of the Japanese Barberry are believed to have purifying qualities, reflecting cleansing and healing.
- Adaptability: Capable of thriving in various soil conditions and tolerating different climates, the Japanese Barberry represents adaptability and resilience.
- Sharpness: With its thorny branches, the Japanese Barberry can symbolize a sharp mind or wit, reminding one of the importance of intellectual acuity.
WaterThe Japanese Barberry 'Admiration' requires moderate watering, meaning it should be watered thoroughly but allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Normally, you should water the plant approximately once every week, but adjust the frequency according to weather conditions and soil moisture levels. An adequate method is to water directly at the soil level, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce the risk of diseases. Provide 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant during each watering session during the growing season, lessening the amount as the plant goes dormant in the fall.
LightJapanese Barberry 'Admiration' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It should be planted in a spot where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, but it can also tolerate some shade. Avoid deep shade areas, as this will reduce the vibrancy of its foliage color and can lead to leggy growth.
TemperatureJapanese Barberry 'Admiration' is a hardy plant that can withstand a wide range of temperatures. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about -30 degrees Fahrenheit and is comfortable in the heat as long as it is well-watered. Ideal growing temperatures for the plant are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season.
PruningPrune Japanese Barberry 'Admiration' to shape and control its size, as well as to remove any dead or diseased wood. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning can be done annually, cutting back up to one-third of the old wood to encourage new growth and maintain the plant's vibrant appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Japanese Barberry 'Admiration' should be well-draining and fertile, with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.5. A blend of loam, peat moss, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal to provide proper aeration and drainage while maintaining soil fertility.
RepottingJapanese Barberry 'Admiration' is a slow grower and typically does not need frequent repotting. Every 2-3 years should be sufficient, or when the plant outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingJapanese Barberry 'Admiration' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements, making it a versatile landscape plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light; avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil; full sun to part shade.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of 'Admiration' Barberry (Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration' (PBR)) begins with seed germination, occurring in the right environmental conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling stage follows, where the young plant develops its initial set of leaves and a root system. As it grows, the barberry enters the vegetative stage, producing dense, purple-red foliage and a thorny, compact habit that is characteristic of the cultivar. In spring, the mature plant reaches the reproductive stage, bearing small yellow flowers that are often inconspicuous among the leaves. These flowers are pollinated and give way to bright red berries by late summer to autumn, which can remain on the plant into winter, providing interest and food for wildlife. Eventually, the plant may experience senescence, a decline with age, but with proper care, 'Admiration' Barberry can remain vibrant for many years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The common name for Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration' (PBR) is the Purple Japanese Barberry. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is through softwood cuttings, which is typically done in late spring to early summer when the plant's new growth is just beginning to harden. To propagate, a gardener would select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) from the tip of the stem, making sure that each cutting has at least two sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is often dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. These cuttings are then inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that at least one set of leaves is above the soil surface. The soil should be kept moist, and the pot placed in a warm location with indirect light until roots have developed, which usually takes several weeks.
