everything-landscaping.co.uk

Compact Japanese Barberry Hedge (Berberis Thunbergii 'Japenese')

Berberis thunbergii, commonly known as Japanese Barberry, is a compact, slow-growing deciduous shrub that makes an attractive choice for low hedges. Its green foliage develops orange and red tones in autumn before falling, while yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by decorative red fruits later in the year.
Its thorny stems also provide an additional physical deterrent, making this variety suitable for gardens where both appearance and boundary security are important.

Slow Growth Rate
Yellow Flowers
Deciduous
Berries
Plant Guarantee

Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, chalk and clay soils, as well as full sun to semi-shaded areas. It can also grow in inland, exposed and coastal sites.
Growth Rate: Slow growing, with an expected growth rate of around 10-15cm per year.
Height: Easily maintained at approximately 0.5-1.5m.
Bare Root Plants: Bare-root plants are shown in their winter dormant state as a single bare root and as a bundle for comparison. If ordering 1 x bare root, you will receive one individual plant, not a bundle, unless the product is specifically shown as a multibuy item.
Plant Guarantee: All plants come with a 12-month guarantee, so you can buy with confidence.

Select Root Type:

Select Size & Quantity

Height cm	Price inc VAT	Planting Density
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 20/40cm	Regular price £5.45 Sale price £5.45 Regular price Unit price per	7 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 40/60cm	Regular price £6.36 Sale price £6.36 Regular price Unit price per	6 to 7 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 60/80cm	Regular price £6.96 Sale price £6.96 Regular price Unit price per	5 to 6 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 5L 40/60cm	Regular price £11.80 Sale price £11.80 Regular price Unit price per	6 to 7 per metre

Height cm	Price inc VAT	Planting Density
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 20/40cm (x50) Multi-deal	Regular price £245.25 Sale price £245.25 Regular price Unit price per	7 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 40/60cm (x50) Multi-deal	Regular price £286.20 Sale price £286.20 Regular price Unit price per	6 to 7 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 2L 60/80cm (x50) Multi-deal	Regular price £313.20 Sale price £313.20 Regular price Unit price per	5 to 6 per metre
Compact Japanese Barberry Pot Grown 5L 40/60cm (x40) Multi-deal	Regular price £424.80 Sale price £424.80 Regular price Unit price per	6 to 7 per metre

About Berberis Thunbergii

Japanese Barberry is a compact and relatively slow-growing variety, making it well suited to low hedges and garden boundaries where a manageable height is preferred.

The plant provides interest across several seasons. Its green leaves appear during the growing season, small yellow flowers develop in spring, and red fruits follow later in the year. In autumn, the foliage can turn attractive shades of orange and red before the leaves fall for winter.

The plant's prickly stems make it a useful choice for creating a boundary with an added deterrent. It can also be considered as an alternative to traditional Box hedging, particularly for gardeners looking for a different low-growing option.
For more alternatives, explore our wider range of Berberis hedging plants, including varieties with red, purple or variegated foliage.

Where to Plant Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii is adaptable and can be planted in normal, clay and chalk soils. It grows in full sun and semi-shaded positions and is suitable for a variety of locations, including inland, exposed and coastal sites.

A sunny position can help encourage good flowering and attractive seasonal foliage colour. When planting a new hedge, prepare the ground thoroughly and provide adequate water while the plants establish.

Its slow growth rate of around 10–15cm per year makes it suitable for gardeners who prefer a hedge that can be maintained without excessive annual growth.

Pruning Advice

Berberis thunbergii should generally be pruned immediately after flowering. This helps maintain the shape and size of the hedge while allowing the plant to retain its seasonal interest.
Remove damaged, dead or unwanted branches and lightly trim the hedge to maintain its desired form.

Avoid unnecessarily hard pruning if you want to preserve the plant's natural shape and encourage future flowering and fruiting.

Because Japanese Barberry has prickly stems, wear suitable protective gloves and take care when pruning or handling the plants.

Further Information

How Many Plants Do I Need?
The number of plants required depends on the size of the plants you purchase and how quickly you want the hedge to become established.

For bare-root plants, the following can be used as a general guide:

3 plants per metre - suitable if you are prepared to wait longer for the hedge to fill out.
5 plants per metre - a recommended planting density for a fuller hedge.
7 plants per metre - suitable when you want the hedge to become dense more quickly.

For cell-grown plants, a general planting density of 4-6 plants per metre can be used. Always check the specific planting recommendations supplied with your chosen plant size before ordering.

For a particularly dense boundary, plants can also be arranged in a double staggered row or zig-zag pattern.

Bare Root and Pot Grown Plants

Bare-root Berberis plants are supplied during their winter dormant period. They are shown without foliage because the plants are naturally dormant at this time of year.

Please note that one bare-root plant means one individual plant, unless the product is specifically listed as a multibuy or bundle.
Pot-grown plants have an established root system and are available throughout the year, making them an option for planting outside the bare-root season.

When Are Bare Root Plants Available?
Bare-root plants are generally available from November through to late April or early May, depending on seasonal conditions and availability.

Pot-grown plants are available year-round, subject to stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Japanese Barberry suitable for a small garden?
Yes. Its relatively compact growth habit and manageable mature height make Berberis thunbergii suitable for smaller gardens, borders and low boundaries where space is limited.

Does Japanese Barberry attract wildlife?
Its flowers and later-season fruits can provide useful seasonal resources for garden wildlife. The dense, prickly structure can also provide shelter for small garden creatures.

How quickly will a Japanese Barberry hedge become established?
Berberis thunbergii is a slow-growing plant, typically adding around 10–15cm of growth per year. The time required to create a full hedge will depend on the initial plant size, planting density and growing conditions.

Can Japanese Barberry be grown in a container?
Yes, younger plants can be grown in suitable containers. Choose a container with sufficient room for root development and ensure it has adequate drainage. Container-grown plants will generally require more regular watering than those planted in the ground.

Does Japanese Barberry lose its leaves in winter?
Yes. Berberis thunbergii is deciduous. Its green foliage changes colour during autumn before falling, leaving the plant without leaves during winter.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available within 50 miles of our nursery, making it convenient to have your Compact Japanese Barberry Hedge delivered directly to your property within our local delivery area.
Delivery beyond the 50-mile radius may also be available depending on your location and order. If you are unsure whether your address is within our delivery area, please contact us before placing your order.

All plants are carefully prepared for delivery to help ensure they arrive in good condition.

Every plant is also covered by our 12-month plant guarantee, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

This Month's Special Discount Offer !

Spend & Save is back! Buy more & save more.

Spend £200 & get £20 off | Spend £500 & get £75 off | Spend £1000 & get £150 off

Don't miss this month's discount !

With over 30+ years in the horticultural industry, Bannister Hall is an award winning UK plants nursery. We are trusted growers and online retailers of everything plants including topiary, trees, hedges, and shrubs, supplying outdoor plants nationwide to homeowners, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, local authorities, the NHS, landscaping designers, gardeners, contractors, and property developers. From our three privately owned British plants nurseries we offer specialist nationwide delivery of high quality plants at unbeatable prices. Our nurseries can be visited by everyone and you can also shop here online choosing from over 40,000 plant species. We are fully DEFRA compliant and approved by the national 'Plant Healthy Scheme'. Buy Hedges, Trees, Plants & Shrubs Direct Online with Free Delivery and 12 months plants guarantee- Tel. 0330 236 7330.