Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Red Chief'
Japanese barberry 'Red Chief'
'Red Chief' is a vigorous, spiny medium-sized deciduous shrub, habit upright to spreading, with rather narrow, purple-red leaves, becoming brighter red in autumn. Flowers pale yellow, followed by deep red berries
Synonyms
Berberis 'Red Chief'Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Berberis can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with spiny shoots bearing simple, often spine-toothed leaves, and small yellow or orange flowers in axillary clusters or racemes, followed by small berries
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
Could be affected by berberis sawfly
Diseases
May be subject to powdery mildews
Get involved
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