Berberis thunbergii 'Boum'
Japanese barberry 'Boum'
A compact, dwarf shrub with distinctive colouring. Flowers are pale yellow and relatively insignificant, but the leaves are variegated cream/green, contrasting with red stems. New shoots may be pink-flushed in all parts. Scarlet berries develop in autumn when the leaves also turn orange-red
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Yellow | Cream Green Variegated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Cream Green Variegated | ||
| Autumn | Red | Orange Red | Red | |
| Winter | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Unresolved
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 or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and berberis sawfly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sometimes by honey fungus
Get involved
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