Berberis thunbergii Lutin Rouge - Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Lutin Rouge' is a dwarf variety of Japanese barberry, distinguished by its compact rounded shape and foliage with changing colours from spring to autumn! In spring, the young shoots emerge in scarlet red before turning to deep purple red. In shade, the plant grows but its foliage will be more apple green and then dark green. It bears small yellow flowers in spring, followed by bright red fruits. Its reduced growth and dense habit make it ideal for ground cover or low colourful borders, or to accompany roses and perennials in a bed with pink, red, purple, and black tones. Hardy and resistant to temporary drought, it can be planted in full sun or bright partial shade in well-drained soil, even in rock gardens!

The Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry, is a shrub from the Berberidaceae family originating from Japan. It is characterized by a bushy, spreading, and low habit, and deciduous foliage which is evergreen in mild climates.

The cultivar 'Lutin Rouge' is a creation by JP Hennebelle which quickly reaches 60cm (23.6in) in all directions. The branches range from beige to light brown and are semi-arching and semi-erect in this variety, with mildly aggressive thorns. The colourful foliage and dense ball-shaped habit are the main assets of this barberry. The leaves measure a few centimetres long and are glossy and obovate (ovate, with the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part). When they emerge, they display a scarlet red colour, which gradually darkens to almost purple-red as they mature. In May-June, numerous clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped soft yellow flowers are 1cm (0.4in) long. They are highly nectar-rich and are followed in September-October by small, bright red spherical fruits measuring 6 to 8mm (0.2 - 0.3in), which persist on the branches for part of the winter. The foliage takes on a beautiful purplish-red hue before falling.

Japanese barberry is a very adaptable shrub in terms of soil, which tolerates pruning very well and prefers sunny exposures. It is a shame to confine it to the role of a monochrome and anonymous defensive hedge where its naturally graceful habit is completely overshadowed. Its beautiful foliage, particularly remarkable in certain cultivars like 'Lutin Rouge', deserves a prominent spot in front of larger flowering shrubs in shades of pink (Kolkwitzia, Abelia, Abeliophyllum distichum Roseum), red (Japanese quince, roses, Weigelas), or even yellow to orange (Kerria japonica, Genista Lena Orange, Lonicera Dropmore Scarlett). Its compact size and neat appearance make it suitable for decorative ground covers and low colourful borders. It can also be paired with the grey foliage of shrubby artemisias or Convolvulus cneorum. This shrub can also be planted in small rock gardens to cover slopes or highlight the edge of a pathway. It also thrives when grown in a pot to adorn a terrace or balcony.