Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Helmond Pillar'
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Japanese barberry 'Helmond Pillar'
A bushy, deciduous spiny shrub with a narrow, upright habit, eventually reaching 1.5m in height. Small pale yellow flowers are borne in late spring, followed by red berries in the autumn; often persisting into winter. Foliage is brownish-red and deciduous; autumn leaf fall exposes the brown, thorny stems
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 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 | Purple | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | |||
Autumn | Bronze Red Purple | Red | ||
Winter | Brown | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
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. A useful upright accent plant in the garden. See berberis cultivation for further advice.
Propagation
Propagate by sotwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 2; only requires light pruning to maintain upright habit
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sometimes by honey fungus
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Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Helmond Pillar'
Japanese barberry 'Helmond Pillar'
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