Berberis thunbergii 'Redtorch'PBR
Japanese barberry 'Redtorch'
A dwarf upright and compact deciduous shrub. Striking small red leaves that are more green in colour towards the base of the plant, turn bright red in autumn. Grown very much for its leaf colour but has quite tiny clusters of pale yellow flowers in spring followed by small red berries
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Red Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Red | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- 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 semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 2. This dwarf variety needs little regular pruning. To renovate, remove the oldest stems at the base and cut back all branches to healthy young shoots in late winter to early spring.
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.