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Berberis x stenophylla (Rosemary Barberry)

Golden Barberry, Narrow-Leaved Barberry, Rosemary Barberry

Berberis stenophylla, Golden Barberry, Narrow-Leaved Barberry, Shrub with Berries, Evergreen Shrub, Red Berries, Flowering Shrub, Yellow Flowers

Free-flowering, Berberis x stenophylla (Rosemary Barberry) is a medium-sized evergreen shrub with gracefully arching branches covered with narrow, spine-tipped leaves, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), deep green above and blue-green beneath. Profuse clusters of fragrant, bright golden-yellow flowers dangle along the stems in late spring to early summer. They are followed by small blue-black berries, which are attractive to birds. Rosemary Barberry tolerates a wide range of soils, excluding poorly-drained wet soils. Effective on banks and slopes, it can also be used as a specimen, hedge, or barrier plant.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 8-10 ft. tall (240-300 cm) and 12-15 ft. wide (360-450 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade, in any soil as long as it is not soggy or wet. Drought tolerant once established. Best fruit production in full sun.
  • Perfect choice for banks and slopes, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or as an informal hedge or screen.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for berberis sawfly and powdery mildew. Deer resistant.
  • Prune immediately after flowering.
  • Propagate by seed or from semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Berberis
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
Height 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Spread 12' - 15'
(3m - 4m)
Spacing 180" (4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Berberis pinnata, Coast Barberry, California Barberry, Shiny-leaf Mahonia, Shinyleaf Mahonia, Wavyleaf Barberry, Mahonia pinnata, Blue berries, Yellow Flowers, evergreen shrub
Berberis Koreana, Nevin's Barberry, Mahonia nevinii, Odostemon nevinii, Berries, Shrub with Berries, Evergreen Shrub, Red Berries, Flowering Shrub
Berberis verruculosa, Warty Barberry, Warted Barberry, Berries, Shrub with Berries, Evergreen Shrub, Red Berries, Flowering Shrub, Yellow Flowers
thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Rose Glow', Japanese Barberry 'Rose Glow', Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow', Berberis 'Rose Glow', Pink Berberis
Berberis thunbergii Orange Rocket, Japanese Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Thunberg's Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage Shrub, Shrub with berries, Orange shrub, Fall color
thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Admiration', Japanese Barberry 'Admiration', Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration', Berberis 'Admiration', Pink Berberis

Recommended Companion Plants

Osmanthus heterophyllus, Holly Osmanthus, Holly Olive, Chinese Holly, False Holly, Fragrant Shrub, Fragrant Tree
Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Sparkling Sangria™,Chinese Fringe Flower Sparkling Sangria™, Sparkling Sangria Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'PIILC-II', evergreen shrubs, red flowers, dark foliage
Ceanothus 'Puget Blue',  California Lilac 'Puget Blue', Ceanothus impressus 'Puget Blue', Blue Flowers, Fragrant Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs
Garrya elliptica, Wavyleaf Silktassel, Wavy-Leaf Silktassel, Silk-Tassel Bush, Silk Tassel Bush, Coastal Silktassel, Evergreen Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color, Winter color, shrub with catkins
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Berberis
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Fall
Height 8' - 10'
(240cm - 3m)
Spread 12' - 15'
(3m - 4m)
Spacing 180" (4m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Guides with
Berberis
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Compare Now

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