Berberis

Botanical name: Berberis spp.

Common name: Barberry

Family: Berberidaceae

Type: Deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub

Origin: Temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and the Americas

Characteristics

Habit: Dense, compact, thorny shrub with upright or spreading branches. Naturally suited to bonsai due to its small leaves, twiggy growth, and attractive branching.

Leaves: Small, simple leaves, often glossy; colors vary by species and cultivar, some have red, purple, or variegated foliage.

Flowers: Small, pendulous clusters of yellow to orange flowers in spring. Flowering is subtle but adds charm.

Fruit: Bright red, orange, or purple berries appear in late summer or autumn.

Bark: Young stems are smooth; older branches develop textured bark, adding interest to the bonsai trunk.

Thorns: Beware the thorns! They tend to be incredibly sharp and very thin, which makes it very easy for them to snap off once they’re embedded in your fingers.

Growth rate: Moderate; responds well to pruning and shaping.

Cultivation

Light: Full sun to partial shade. Sunlight enhances leaf color and flowering; shade reduces foliage intensity.

Temperature: Hardy in temperate zones. Some evergreen or semi-evergreen species may need mild winter protection.

Soil: Well-draining bonsai soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Watering: Regular during active growth; tolerate short dry periods once established. Reduce watering in late autumn/winter for dormant deciduous species.

Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer in spring and summer. Avoid over-fertilization late in the season to prevent weak late growth.

Pruning: Responds very well to pruning. Pinch back shoots during summer to maintain shape; major structural pruning in late winter or early spring. Prune after flowering for species that bloom on old wood.

Repotting: Every 2–3 years for young plants, 3–4 years for mature bonsai. Early spring is best; root pruning is tolerated well.

Pests & diseases: Generally hardy; occasionally susceptible to aphids, scale, leaf spot, or powdery mildew. Good airflow reduces disease incidence.

Propagation

Cuttings: Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer root reliably with proper humidity. Hardwood cuttings in winter also succeed.

Layering: Air-layering is effective for thicker trunk or branch development.

Seed: Viable but slow-growing; rarely used due to variable characteristics.

Suckers: Some species produce basal shoots suitable for propagation or clump-style bonsai.

Bonsai notes

Barberry flowers are small but berries and foliage colour are visually striking. Naturally small leaves suit bonsai, however, beware of the thorns, they are really sharp! Be particularly careful when wiring or pruning. Pinching back shoots will rapidly produce a dense, twiggy structure.

Branches are flexible when young, but be careful when bending older, woody branches that tend to be more brittle.

Trunks and nebari develop well with periodic root pruning. Older specimens develop textured, aged bark. Many species and cultivars produce basal shoots which are useful when you need to build up the nebari in young plants, but should be removed unless you want a clump style since you want to discourage the basal dominance to maintain apical growth.

Hardy species overwinter outdoors; semi-evergreen species may need shelter from frost or prolonged cold winds. I’ve noticed that most of mine start to look a bit ropey from mid-summer if they’re in full sun.

Berberis Species

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)

Japan. Small leaves, thorny branches, brilliant red/orange autumn foliage and tiny vivid red fruit. Many dwarf cultivars exist for shohin/mame bonsai.
Popular cultivars:
Atropurpurea Nana – compact, purple-red foliage.
Golden Nugget – small, golden foliage.
Crimson Pygmy – tiny red leaves, excellent for small bonsai.

Berberis darwinii (Darwin’s Barberry)

South America (Chile & Argentina). Evergreen, small leaves, stunning clusters of yellow/orange flowers followed by blue-black berries.

Berberis candidula (White-leaved Barberry)

China. Small, fine leaves; compact growth habit.

Berberis julianae (Wintergreen Barberry)

China. Evergreen, small leathery leaves, yellow flowers in spring, dark berries. Dense branching and small leaves allow detailed ramification.

Berberis verruculosa (Warty-leaved Barberry)

China. Small, glossy leaves, slow growth. Naturally compact, ideal for small bonsai and fine branch detail

Berberis stenophylla (Rosemary or Golden Barberry)

A large evergreen shrub with narrow, spine-tipped leaves and bright yellow flowers in spring, followed by blue fruits.