Shrub · Berberidaceae family
Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
In short a 10-second read
Japanese barberry (shrub) grows to 0.6–1.5 m tall and 0.6–2.1 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–June; the flowers are yellow. Hardy to −32 °C.
× spread 0.6–2.1 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −32 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: sandy, loamy, gravelly
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–June · yellow
Pruning
prune after flowering (as needed)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −32 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −32 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese barberry flower?
In May–June; the flowers are yellow.
Does Japanese barberry tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese barberry need?
At maturity 0.6–2.1 m wide and 0.6–1.5 m tall; recommended spacing 80 cm.
Does Japanese barberry survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −32 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (18)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- RHS Plant Finder
- Plants For A Future
- EPPO Global Database
- Pladias — Databáze české flóry a vegetace
- BfN — Gefäßpflanzen
- Neobiota Austria — Neophyten der Unionsliste
- SIŽP — Zoznam inváznych nepôvodných druhov
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning early-flowering
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- bayareagardening.org
- dearplants.com
- boethingtreeland.com
- plantlust.com
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- plantlust.com
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