Native Plant Alternatives to Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)

Berberis thunbergii, commonly known as Japanese barberry, is considered invasive in several regions. Native to Japan, it was introduced to North America and Europe as an ornamental plant because of its attractive red berries and the bright color of its foliage in autumn.

However, Japanese barberry has escaped cultivation in many areas and has become a significant invasive species. It can grow in a wide range of conditions and forms dense thickets that can outcompete native vegetation. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals, helping it to spread widely.

Japanese barberry is also problematic because it creates a favorable microclimate for ticks, which can increase the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease in certain areas.

Japanese Barberry is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.