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

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana'

Crimson Pygmy barberry

Berberidaceae

Japan (species); cultivar of garden origin

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', widely 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. 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 — inconspicuous against the dark foliage. Bright red oblong berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen in fall and persist through winter after leaf drop. Sharp single thorns occur at each node. The compact, dense mounding habit is self-maintaining and requires little corrective pruning. Fall foliage transitions to vivid orange-red before leaf drop. Berberis thunbergii is listed as invasive in numerous eastern and midwestern US states — including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio — where bird-dispersed seeds naturalize in forests and shrubby edges; it is not currently regulated in Washington or Oregon but does self-seed freely. All cultivars of the species, including 'Atropurpurea Nana', produce viable seeds dispersed by birds.

Native Range

Berberis thunbergii is native to Japan. The cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' arose in cultivation with no independent native range.

Suggested Uses

Used as a low edging shrub, border accent, or mass-planted groundcover in residential and commercial landscapes. The compact self-maintaining size suits it to low-maintenance plantings, rock gardens, foreground positions in mixed borders, and container culture. Deer-resistant. Not recommended adjacent to natural areas or stream corridors due to seed dispersal.

How to Identify

Identified by its distinctly dwarf compact mounding habit — 1.5–2 feet (45–60 cm) tall — with 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 on bare stems through winter. The combination of dwarf size and deep burgundy foliage distinguishes it from larger purple barberry cultivars. Foliage becomes more burgundy-green than red in heavily shaded locations.

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 and not ornamentally prominent. Bright red berries 0.3 inch (8 mm) long ripen September through October and persist through winter on bare thorny stems.

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 the deepest burgundy-red foliage; part shade produces more green-burgundy leaves and a less compact habit. Tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils — avoid wet or poorly drained sites where root rot can develop. Water regularly during the first growing season; very drought-tolerant once established. The dense, thorny habit is impenetrable to foot traffic and deters deer and rabbits. Do not plant adjacent to forest edges or natural areas where bird-dispersed seeds may escape. Berberis thunbergii is banned in several eastern US states; verify local regulations if planting outside Washington or Oregon.

Pruning

The compact mounding habit is largely self-maintaining; heavy annual pruning is not needed. Shear lightly after flowering (May through June) to tighten the mound if desired, or remove winter-damaged stems in early spring. Wear thick gloves when pruning — thorns are sharp. Remove any green-leaved reversion shoots at their base immediately to prevent loss of the compact purple form.

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