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Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana'
Crimson Pygmy barberry
Parent species {Berberis thunbergii} native to Japan; the cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' (commonly sold as 'Crimson Pygmy') arose in cultivation
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Overview
Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana' — widely sold under the trade name 'Crimson Pygmy' — is a dwarf compact mounding deciduous shrub cultivar in the family Berberidaceae, reaching 1.5-2 feet (45-60 cm) tall and 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide. The cultivar is selected from the purple-leaved forma atropurpurea for its dwarf habit and dense self-maintaining mound. Leaves are small, spatulate, 0.5-1 inch (1.2-2.5 cm) long, deep burgundy-red in full sun and shifting toward burgundy-green in part shade. Single sharp thorns occur at each leaf node. Small yellow bell-shaped flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) across hang in small clusters beneath the stems from April through May, largely concealed by foliage. Small red oblong berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen in fall and persist through winter on bare stems. Fall foliage turns orange-red. Growth is slow at 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) per year, and the dense compact mound is naturally self-maintaining and calls for little corrective pruning. Despite the trade-name suggestion of sterility, 'Atropurpurea Nana' produces viable seed that birds disperse into surrounding habitats — and this dispersal contributes to the invasive status of the species in the eastern United States. The parent species B. thunbergii is classified as invasive in several northeastern and midwestern U.S. states where planting is prohibited or regulated. All parts of the plant are toxic to pets and humans if ingested because of berberine alkaloids concentrated in the bark, roots, and berries.
Native Range
Berberis thunbergii is native to Japan, where it grows on mountain slopes, forest margins, and rocky areas from near sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation. The cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' arose in cultivation as a dwarf selection from the purple-leaved forma atropurpurea and does not occur in wild populations. Birds consume the persistent red berries and disperse seeds into surrounding habitats.Suggested Uses
Planted as a low edging shrub, border accent, mass-planted groundcover, or rock garden specimen at 2-3 foot (60-90 cm) spacing in residential and commercial landscapes. The compact self-maintaining size suits low-maintenance plantings, foreground positions in mixed borders, and container culture in pots of 5 gallons (19 L) or more with a well-drained mix. Combined with chartreuse-foliaged Sedum 'Angelina', silver-foliaged Stachys byzantina, or low golden Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound' for color contrast in zones 4-8. Not suited to wet or poorly drained sites where root rot develops, jurisdictions where B. thunbergii is prohibited as invasive, positions adjacent to natural areas where bird-dispersed seedling escape is a concern, high-traffic pathways where the sharp thorns conflict with regular contact, or landscapes with pets or young children where the toxic berries pose an ingestion risk.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Small yellow bell-shaped flowers 0.25 inch (6 mm) across hang in small clusters beneath the stems from April through May, averaging 2-3 weeks of bloom. Flowers are largely concealed by foliage and are not an ornamental display. Red oblong berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen from September through October and persist on bare thorny stems through winter after leaf drop.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow; small, 0.25 inch (6 mm) across, bell-shaped; hanging in small clusters beneath the stems and largely concealed by foliageFoliage Description
deep burgundy-red in full sun, fading to burgundy-green in part shade; small spatulate leaves 0.5-1 inch (1.2-2.5 cm) long; orange-red in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5 in full sun where the burgundy-red foliage color holds darkest; in part shade the leaves shift toward burgundy-green and the habit becomes slightly less compact. Tolerated soil types include loam, clay, sand, and silt. Wet or poorly drained sites are not suited to the cultivar because root rot can develop in saturated conditions. Water weekly through the first 1-2 growing seasons; established plants are very drought-tolerant. The dense thorny habit deters foot traffic, deer, and rabbits. The species is classified as invasive in several northeastern and midwestern U.S. states and planting is regulated or prohibited in those jurisdictions; local invasive-species regulations govern whether the cultivar is legal to plant in a given area. All parts of the plant are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Sharp thorns at each node cause puncture wounds during handling of stems and pruning debris.Pruning
The compact mounding habit is largely self-maintaining and heavy annual pruning is not required. Light shearing after flowering (May through June) tightens the mound where wanted. Winter-damaged stems are removed in early spring. Any green-leaved reversion shoots are removed at their point of origin as soon as they appear so that the compact purple form is not lost over time. Sharp single thorns at each node cause frequent puncture wounds during handling of pruning debris.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons