Berberis thunbergii ‘Fireball’ (Japanese Barberry)

Japanese Barberry 'Fireball', Berberis 'Fireball'

Berberis thunbergii 'Fireball', Japanese Barberry 'Fireball', Berberis thunbergii 'Fireball', Berberis 'Fireball', Pink Berberis

Very showy, award-winning Berberis thunbergii ‘Fireball’ (Japanese Barberry) is a compact, dwarf, deciduous shrub with a vibrant foliage of fiery red leaves. The striking coloring remains throughout the summer and deepens in fall. ‘Fireball’ is perfect for brightening borders or containers and ideal for small gardens.

Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
Grows with a tight compact habit to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 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.

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Requirements

Hardiness	4 - 8
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Climate Zones	2, 2B, 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	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing	24" (60cm)
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	Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts	Birds, Bees
Garden Uses	Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard

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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 ‘Orange Rocket’ (Japanese Barberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Dahlia ‘Bishop of Oxford’

Heuchera ‘Caramel’ (Coral Bells)

Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender)

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Planthaven International, Inc

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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