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
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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
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