Berberis thunbergii f. atroppurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana', Crimson Pygmy barberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Berberis thunbergii f. atroppurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana'

Crimson Pygmy barberry

BerberidaceaeJapan

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2 feet (45-60 cm)
Width2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana' (also sold as 'Crimson Pygmy') is a dwarf, mounding cultivar of purple-leaved Japanese barberry reaching 1.5–2 feet (45–60 cm) tall and 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) wide at maturity. Small spatulate leaves 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long are deep burgundy-red in full sun, becoming more burgundy-green in part shade. In April through May, small yellow flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) across hang in small clusters beneath the thorny stems and are inconspicuous against the foliage. Bright red oblong berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen in fall and persist through winter after leaf drop, providing bird food. Thorns are sharp and single at each node. The compact, dense mounding habit requires little or no pruning to maintain shape. Berberis thunbergii is listed as invasive in numerous eastern and midwestern US states — including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio — where birds disperse seeds into forests and natural areas; it is not currently regulated in Washington or Oregon but seeds freely. This record (ID 618) contains a data error: the infraspecies epithet is misspelled as 'atroppurpurea'; the correct epithet is 'atropurpurea'. The correct matching record is ID 277.

Native Range

Berberis thunbergii is native to Japan. It was introduced to North America in the late 19th century as an ornamental and has since naturalized widely in disturbed forests and edge habitats, particularly in the northeastern United States.

Suggested Uses

Used as a low edging shrub, border accent, or mass planting in residential and commercial landscapes. The compact size and self-maintaining habit suit it to low-maintenance plantings, rock gardens, and foreground positions in mixed shrub borders. Deer-resistant. Not recommended adjacent to natural areas or where invasive seed escape is a concern.

How to Identify

Identified by very compact mounding habit 1.5–2 feet (45–60 cm) tall, small spatulate deep burgundy-red leaves 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long, sharp single thorns at each node, and persistent bright red berries in fall and winter. Distinguished from other purple-leaved barberry cultivars by its consistently dwarf size. Foliage is more green-burgundy in shade than in full sun.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

red
purple

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Blooms April through May with small yellow flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) across in small clusters beneath the stems, partially hidden by foliage. The floral display is not ornamentally significant. Bright red berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen September through October and persist through winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow

Foliage Description

deep burgundy-red in full sun; burgundy-green in part shade; orange-red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun for deepest foliage color; part shade produces more green-tinged burgundy leaves and a less compact habit. Tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils; poor drainage causes root rot. Water regularly during establishment; once established, very drought-tolerant. The dense thorny habit deters deer and is impenetrable to foot traffic — useful where physical barriers are needed. Do not plant adjacent to natural areas or forest edges due to bird-dispersed seed escape. Berberis thunbergii is banned in several eastern US states; verify local regulations before planting if outside the Pacific Northwest.

Pruning

The compact mounding habit is self-maintaining and requires little corrective pruning. Shear lightly after flowering (May through June) to tighten the mound if desired. Remove any outward-spreading branches that break the desired form. Wear thick gloves — thorns are sharp. Avoid heavy pruning; this cultivar regenerates slowly from hard cuts. Remove any green-leaved reversion shoots at their base promptly.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans