Berberis thunbergii 'Diabolic'
Japanese barberry 'Diabolic'
A compact, bushy, spiny shrub to around 50cm tall and wide. Arching stems bear small, rounded yellow-to yellow-green leaves edged with red when young; leaves turn orange-yellow in autumn. Small yellow flowers in spring are followed by red fruits in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Red Green Yellow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | |||
| Autumn | Orange Yellow | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerant of a range of soils and locations, but grows best in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, though flowering and fruiting are best in full sun. See berberis cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 2; trim hedges after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sometimes by honey fungus
Get involved
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