Berberis thunbergii Ruby Star

The Berberis thunbergii 'Ruby Star' is a dwarf barberry variety with a very compact habit. It develops a small clump of beautiful coppery red foliage, intensifying its colour to a very bright red in autumn. Its discreet yellow spring flowering is followed by the formation of berries that turn bright red in autumn. This deciduous shrub, very hardy and accommodating due to its small size, is ideal for borders, at the front of a bed, or as a low hedge.

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 bushy, spreading, low 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 'Ruby Star' cultivar is a dwarf form, not exceeding 40 cm in height and spread at maturity. The young branches are red and have mildly aggressive thorns. The foliage is the main asset of this barberry. It consists of glossy leaves measuring 3 cm long, ovate to rounded. The colour is coppery red with a delicate yellow margin. In April-May, clusters of 1 to 6 small flowers bloom on 1-year-old stems. The bell-shaped flowers, 1 cm long, are a soft yellow slightly streaked with red. They are highly nectariferous and are followed in September-October by small spherical fruits, 6 to 8 mm long, that persist on the branches throughout the winter. The foliage takes on a beautiful blood-red colour before falling.