Julian's Barberry

Berberis julianae - Julian's Barberry

Berberis julianae, unsurprisingly called Julian's Barberry is a dense, thorny shrub, that carries copper leaves and yellow flowers in spring. Julian's Barberry (Berberis julianae) is a dense, thorny shrub, that carries copper leaves and yellow flowers in spring. The leaves go green in summer and then light up any planting area with a display of flame reds and oranges in autumn. 

Growing to about 3m Berberis julianae makes an excellent screen or privacy hedge - while not as covered in thorns as some of its close relatives, the spines on Berberis julianae make up in length and ferocity what they lack in numbers. The books say this is a plant for a sunny spot; it is true its foliage colours better int he sun, but we have seen Berberis julianae growing happily in semi shaded areas that never get direct sun.