Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Pink Queen' (v)
Japanese barberry 'Pink Queen'
A spiny, deciduous shrub to 1.5m tall, with deep purple leaves irregularly marbled with pink and white, sometimes turning red in autumn. Flowers sparse, small and pale yellow, followed by small red berries
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 | Purple Pink White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Pink White | |||
| Autumn | Purple Pink Red White | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–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
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. See berberis cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- 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
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.