Introducing Admiration Barberry

Park Hill, OK-- A showstopper with a blaze of red foliage set off by golden leaf margins, Admiration Barberry (PP16921) holds its vibrant color throughout the season.  Initially new leaves are a flaming coral-red with bright golden edges, and by late summer the oval leaves mature to a purple-red contrasted with the yellow rims. Plant Admiration in full sun to produce the best color when vivid foliage colors are desired.

Although a dwarf, this low-maintenance shrub is very strong and bushy with a compact rounding growth habit. Admiration Barberry reaches only 12-15 inches tall in 4 years, (ultimately 2 feet x 2 feet, untrimmed). Any trimming is best done in early spring. A true dwarf that will not outgrow the site, Admiration Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration') is a low maintenance shrub that is hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Landscape designers often select shrubs that contribute accent colors to the landscape and red foliage plants are one of the most popular additions. Admiration Barberry creates a spectacular display of stunning color in a garden border, is ideal for banks and slopes as well as for large containers.  Use additional plants that compliment red shrubs to set off this barberry.

Admiration Barberry tolerates a wide variety of  soil conditions and withstands dry periods, although during establishment it does need a moderate amount of water.  Northeastern gardeners will be happy to learn that Admiration is non-flowering, therefore the plant does not set viable seed and invasiveness is a non-issue with this cultivar.

For more information on Admiration Barberry (PP 16921) and other superior plant introductions brought to gardeners by Garden Debut®, visit gardendebut.com.

Plant Category: Deciduous woody shrub

Mature Height: 12 inches after 4 years; a true dwarf ultimately reaching only 2 feet by 2 feet

Mature Spread: 15 inches

Mature Form: Compact, bushy woody ornamental shrub with a compact, rounded growth from habit

Branching: Remarkably dense, compact, multi-branched dwarf ornamental

Foliage: Outstanding color form, new growth is coral red with golden leaf margins, maturing to wine red leaves with golden yellow rims

Growth Rate: Vigorous

Sun Exposure: Sun for outstanding leaf color

Soil Type: Sand, loam or clay

Soil Moisture: Well-drained soils; drought resistant once established

Flowers: It’s a bonus that this cultivar is non-flowering and does not set seed; thus eliminating any misgivings about invasive spread in the Northwest.

Landscape Value: Brilliant accent color contrasts with green of typical landscapes

Season: Deciduous; drops leaves in late fall, November

pH Level: 5-7

Zones: 4-8

Heredity: U.S., Hybridized by Andrusiv; Year of Registration or Introduction: 2005 Greenleaf Nursery Selection, Park Hill, OK

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