Berberis thunbergii Golden Torch

The Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Torch' is a variety of barberry with very bright foliage and an upright and compact habit. Its young lemon yellow shoots in spring contrast with the orange stems. The foliage turns red in autumn. In May, it bears small yellow flowers, with buds tinged with red, followed by bright red berries in September-October. This healthy variety tolerates sun and does not require pruning except to improve its columnar appearance. It can be planted as a border, in a shrub bed, or as a low hedge.

The Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese Barberry or Thunberg's Barberry, is a shrub from the Berberidaceae family native to Japan. It is characterised by a spreading, low bushy habit and deciduous foliage in winter or almost evergreen in mild climates. It is a hardy and undemanding plant, water-efficient, and tolerant of limestone soils.

The 'Golden Torch' cultivar has a narrow, very dense, slightly stiff habit, supported by vertical branches. It reaches about 1m in height with a spread of 50cm at maturity. The young branches are reddish-orange and have mildly aggressive thorns. The foliage is the main asset of this barberry. It consists of glossy leaves measuring 3cm long and ovate to a rounded shape. The colour is a bright yellow, with a slightly greener shade in summer. In April-May, clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1cm long, are a soft yellow slightly streaked with red. They are highly nectariferous and are followed in September-October by small spherical bright red fruits, 6 to 8mm long, persisting on the branches throughout winter. The foliage turns a beautiful orange-to-red colour before falling.

The 'Golden Torch' Barberry is a tolerant shrub to different soil types and responds well to pruning. It appreciates the sun, but to avoid intense spring and midday summer exposures, it is planted in partial shade in regions where necessary. Its foliage blends perfectly with a colour palette ranging from red to orange and blue, creating a colourful mixed hedge. Plant it alongside shrubs such as pink-flowered Kolkwitzia and red-flowered Japanese Quince, and don't forget the yellow to orange flowers of Kerria japonica or the blue flowers of Ceanothus thyrsifolius repens, for example. It can also be used with colourful evergreen foliage or in other shades of green.