Berberis thunbergii Golden Dream - Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Dream' is a variety highly appreciated for its small bright foliage and its low, spreading growth with gracefully upright to arching branches! In spring, it develops new shoots with bright red stems that beautifully contrast with its small yellow ovate leaves. In summer, the bush darkens to lemon green before turning orange in autumn. Its clusters of cream-white flowers, which are not very visible, attract pollinators to the garden in large numbers and are followed by bright red fruits which stand out against the lighter foliage in autumn. It is a low-maintenance, deciduous shrub with an open habit, interesting for covering a slope or accompanying flowering plants in well-drained borders. A sunny exposure enhances the intensity of its colouration.

The Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry, is a shrub belonging to the Berberidaceae family and native to Japan. It is characterized by a bushy, spreading, and low habit, and deciduous foliage, almost evergreen in mild climates. The colour of its foliage intensifies under full sun. Hardy and resistant to occasional drought, it is a very easy shrub to grow in well-drained soils.

The cultivar 'Golden Dream' is a recent variety with a medium growth rate, reaching 60cm (23.6in) in height and 100cm (39.4in) in width at maturity. The branches of this variety, ranging from beige to light brown, are upright, open, and semi-arching, and bear small thorns. The contrasting colours of its foliage and its graceful silhouette are the main assets of this barberry. Its glossy leaves, measuring 2 to 3cm (0.8 - 1.2in) in length, are obovate (ovate, with the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part). At bud break, they show a yellow colour, then darken to lemon green as they mature. In autumn, they turn orange before falling. In May-June, numerous clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1cm (0.4in) long, are cream-white. They are highly nectar-rich and are followed in September-October by small, spherical, bright red fruits, 6 to 8mm (0.2 - 0.3in) long, which persist on the branches for part of the winter.

The Thunberg's barberry is a very adaptable shrub in terms of soil, tolerating pruning very well, but clearly preferring sunny exposures. It is a shame to confine it to the role of a monochrome and anonymous defensive hedge shrub; while it fulfills its mission perfectly, its personality is stifled and its naturally graceful habit is completely lost. The vibrant foliage of 'Golden Dream' deserves a prominent place in front of larger shrubs with pink flowers (Kolkwitzia, Abelia, Abeliophyllum distichum 'Roseum'), red flowers (Japanese quince, roses, Weigelas), or even yellow to orange flowers (Japanese kerria, Genista 'Lena Orange', Dropmore Scarlet honeysuckle). Its low but spreading habit allows it to be used as a bright ground cover, even on slopes. It can also be paired with the red and purple foliage of other shrubs like smoke bushes.