shrub

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'BailElla'

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First Editions Lambrusco Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'BailElla') at Millcreek Gardens

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

First Editions Lambrusco Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'BailElla') at Millcreek Gardens

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry foliage

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  3 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Brand:  First Editions

Description:

Stunning foliage emerges red, then deepens to burgundy as the season progresses; has a compact, tight, spreading habit; give some protection from afternoon sun; a great landscape specimen, or garden accent

Ornamental Features

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry has attractive burgundy foliage with hints of plum purple which emerges red in spring on a plant with a round habit of growth. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spiny

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

First Editions® Lambrusco™ Barberry makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Rock  Garden  Container 
Applications
Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features