Darwin's Barberry Hedge Plants

At a Glance

• Use: Secure hedge, specimen shrub
• Height: Up to 3m
• Growth: Medium. Dense, upright, arching
• Soil: Any well-drained soil
• Light: Sun to partial shade
• Type: Evergreen thorny shrub
• Species: Berberis darwinii
• RHS Award of Garden Merit
• RHS Plants for Pollinators
• Pot Grown Delivery Only: Year-round

Appearance, Growth & Uses

Evergreen, prickly, clippable, flowering and scented: Berberis darwinii has everything you could ask from a secure hedging plant, and makes a splendid specimen bush.

It flowers in April, with dense clusters of fragrant, bright orange and yellow flowers bubbling out from beneath the green leaves. These develop into decorative bunches of edible purple-blue berries.

In ideal conditions in the warmer western and southern parts of the country, it will flower again in autumn.
But it has a runner-up prize for cold regions too, where the freezing Winter air causes the leaves to flush burgundy red.

Grown as a hedge, it clips nicely into a neat, formal shape.
As a shrub, it's better to let it grow more freely so you get lovely arching stems laden with flowers and berries.

• Browse our other berberis varieties.
• Browse our full range of hedging plants or ornamental shrubs.

Growing Conditions

• Soil: Any well-drained. Drought tolerant when established
• Light: Sun to partial shade
• Moisture: Moist but well-drained
• Avoid: Deep shade, waterlogged conditions
• Maintenance: Clips well, once a year after flowering is ideal
• Hardiness: Very hardy, salt tolerant

Suitable for any well-drained soil, but on chalk you must mulch yearly to keep the soil moist.

Tolerates partial shade well, but full sun is necessary for prolific flowering.

It is tolerant of coastal conditions and can be planted in exposed spots and inner city areas too.

It is drought tolerant when established, but can be prone to mildew on dry soils without regular mulching.

Garden Design Ideas

Great to add colour and structure to the winter garden, Berberis darwinii combines well with the vibrant stems of dogwoods and willows.

The tiny leaves contrast well with the broad foliage of evergreens such as Fatsia japonica and Bergenia.

Underplant with tulips like Ballerina or Princess Irene to pick up the orange tones of the blossom in spring.

Perfect for secure boundaries that can be seen and admired from a window.

History & Trivia

This South American species, known locally as Michay, was allegedly first identified by Charles Darwin in 1835 during the second voyage of the Beagle.
Recent analysis of that voyage indicates that may be a tall tale, but what is marketing without a good yarn?

In any event, it was certainly imported to Britain by the great Cornish plant collector William Lobb in 1849.

The fruit is edible and was a traditional food in its native lands. The flavour is on the tart side for most people's tastes, so it's better suited to making a surprise jam.