Berberis atropurpureum Purple Barberry

Berberis atropurpureum, commonly known as purple barberry, is a semi-deciduous shrub native to western Asia. It is known for its attractive purple foliage and red berries, which make it a popular ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. 
Purple barberry grows up to 2mt tall and wide, with a dense and thorny growth habit. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, but can also tolerate a range of soil types and growing conditions. In the spring, it produces clusters of small yellow flowers that give way to bright red berries in the fall. Purple barberry is a low-maintenance plant that requires little care once established. It does not require regular fertilization and is generally pest and disease-resistant. However, pruning may be necessary to maintain its shape and size.

Overall, Berberis atropurpureum is a unique and attractive plant that can add color and texture to a variety of garden settings. Its purple foliage and red berries make it a standout choice for borders, hedges, and other landscape features. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential ecological impact and take steps to prevent its spread.

Berberis atropurpurea can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base.  They are very Drought Tolerant of trimming and have prickles which make them an effective barrier to larger creatures. It makes a dense covering when planted 30cm apart each way.
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. Plant in full sun or light shade for best results. Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge.

Berberis atropurpureum is available from Online Plants, Australia's leading e-commerce plant nursery. Located in Melbourne we offer fast, accurate and careful plant delivery to all Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane, metropolitan and regional areas.