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Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’ (Japanese Barberry)

Japanese Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Thunberg's Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket' PP18411

Berberis thunbergii Orange Rocket, Japanese Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Thunberg's Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage Shrub, Shrub with berries, Orange shrub, Fall color
Berberis thunbergii Orange Rocket, Japanese Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Thunberg's Barberry 'Orange Rocket', Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage Shrub, Shrub with berries, Orange shrub, Fall color

Award-winning Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’ (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, upright, deciduous shrub with small, vibrant coral-orange new leaves that change to mid-green in summer before turning brilliant shades of red-orange in the fall. Tiny, scented, pale yellow flowers appear in early summer, but are insignificant in comparison to the foliage. They are followed by an abundant crop of bright crimson-red berries in the fall, which are attractive to birds and often remain on the spiny stems after the leaves have fallen, therefore extending the season of interest of this ornamental shrub through the winter. ‘Orange Rocket’ is perfect for brightening borders or containers.

  • Grows with a tight columnar habit to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Best foliage color when grown in full sun. Japanese Barberry is not fussy about soils provided they are not soggy or wet. Good drainage is essential.
  • Drought, pollution, deer, clay or dry soil tolerant!
  • Japanese Barberry is very adaptable. Excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds, borders, as informal screens or hedges.
  • Fairly pest-free, easy to grow and to care for. May be subject to powdery mildews.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings. Trim hard back at an early age to encourage strong basal branching.
  • Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.
  • Berberis thunbergii species is invasive in the United States. The invasive potential of the more than 40 cultivars of Japanese Barberry is not well known.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Berberis
Common names Japanese Barberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Berberis x stenophylla (Rosemary Barberry)
Berberis pinnata (California Barberry)
Berberis nevinii (Nevin’s Barberry)
Berberis verruculosa (Warty Barberry)
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Rose Glow’ (Japanese Barberry)
Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Admiration’ (Japanese Barberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Heuchera ‘Caramel’ (Coral Bells)
Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)
Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove)
Stipa gigantea (Golden Oats)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)
Attractive Deciduous Shrubs and Trees with Red Fruits and Berries
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 4 - 8
Heat Zones 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Berberis
Common names Japanese Barberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Berberis (Barberry)
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