Berberis thunbergii Orange Dream - Barberry

Berberis thunbergii Orange Dream is a recent variety of barberry, remarkable for the changing colour of its foliage. Its small leaves are orange at bud break and evolve throughout the season to a more purplish hue before turning red-orange in autumn. This very rich and unusual colour of the foliage beautifully highlights its small orange flowers in spring, and then its bright red berries in late summer. It has a low growth habit, and its spreading habit is particularly graceful when used as ground cover or in a small mixed hedge.

The Berberis thunbergii, also known as Japanese barberry, is a bush of the Berberidaceae family native to Japan. It is characterized by a bushy, spreading, and low habit, and deciduous foliage which is almost evergreen in mild climates.

The Czech cultivar 'Orange Dream', introduced in 2012, will quickly reach a height of 90cm (35.4in) with a spread of 1.20m (3.94 ft). The puplish branches are semi-arching and semi-erect in this variety with non-aggressive thorns. The foliage is the main asset of this barberry. It consists of smaller leaves than those of other varieties, measuring 1 to 2cm (0.4 - 0.8in) long and obovate (ovate, the upper part of the leaf wider than the lower part). At bud break, they show a soft orange-pink colour, then as they mature, they turn purple. In April-May, numerous clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1cm (0.4in) long, are golden orange streaked with red. They are highly nectar-rich and are followed in September-October by small bright red, round fruits, 6 to 8 mm (0.2 - 0.3in) long, which persist on the branches for part of the winter. The foliage takes on a beautiful reddish-orange colour before falling.

Thunberg's barberry is a very accommodating shrub in terms of soil, tolerating pruning very well but preferring sunny exposures. It is a shame to confine it to the role of a monochrome and anonymous defensive hedge shrub; although it fulfills its mission perfectly, its personality is stifled and its naturally graceful habit is completely obscured. Its beautiful foliage, remarkable in some cultivars like 'Orange 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 (Kerria japonica, Genista Lena Orange, Honeysuckle Dropmore Scarlett). It can also be paired with the grey foliage of shrubby Artemisias or Convolvulus cneorum. This shrub can also be planted in large rockeries to cover slopes or highlight the edge of a pathway. It also thrives when grown in a large container to adorn a terrace or balcony.