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Red Japanese barberry

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea

BER-ber-iss thun-BER-jee-eye forma at-tro-per-per-EE-ah

Red Japanese barberry is a deciduous shrub with multi-season interest. Most striking are the deep reddish purple inch-long leaves. In spring, scented yellow flowers appear on arching stems. This barberry is an excellent hedge pland, and it also looks good in the middle to rear of beds and borders. Watch out for the brittle, three-pronged thorns. —Gerald Gibbens, “Regional Picks: Northwest,” Fine Gardening #120

Noteworthy CharacteristicsReddish purple leaves; fragrant flowers; thorny stems. Japanese barberry is listed as an invasive plant for much of the United States.

CareProvide full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Each year, before new growth appears, prune on the oldest stems to maintain the plant's proportions. Beware of the thorns.

ProblemsNothing serious

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You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
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Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

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With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
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DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
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  • Genus : Berberis
  • Plant Width : 3 to 6 feet
  • Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8
  • Plant Height : 6 to 10 feet
  • Moisture : Dry to Medium
  • Bloom Time : Early Spring, Late Spring, Spring
  • Growth Rate : Fast
  • Characteristics : Fragrant Flowers, Showy Foliage
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Foliage Color : Purple/Burgundy
  • Plant Type : Shrubs
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
  • Flower Color : Yellow

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