Noteworthy Characteristics

Berberis thunbergii, commonly called Japanese barberry, is a spiny, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with obovate green leaves. It typically matures to 5' tall and as wide. Leaves (variably sized to 1 1/4” long) typically turn attractive shades of orange, yellow and red in fall.

Genus name comes from the Latinized form of the Arabian name for the fruit.

Specific epithet honors Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828) who reportedly identified this species in Japan in 1784.

SUNJOY GOLD PILLAR is a Japanese barberry cultivar that is noted for its bright yellow foliage which retains good golden yellow color all summer (no greening) and will not scorch. It is an upright columnar plant that typically grows to 3-4' tall and as wide. Leaves (to 1 1/4” long) emerge red in spring but quickly mature to bright golden yellow. If grown in too much shade, however, yellow leaves will acquire green tones. Excellent orange-red color in fall. Tiny, pale yellow flowers (1/2” long) appear from late April to early May in short racemes along the stems. Flowers are somewhat inconspicuous.