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Bagatelle Japanese Barberry
Common Name: Bagatelle Barberry
Bagatelle Japanese Barberry — properly Berberis thunbergii ‘Bagatelle’ — is a compact deciduous barberry cultivar prized for its rich bronze-to-red foliage, small yellow spring flowers, and bright red berries in autumn and winter. It’s extremely popular in smaller landscapes, borders, and edge plantings for its multi-season ornamental interest.
Key features
Width / spread: ~1–1.5 ft (small, compact mound)
Height: ~1–1.5 ft (dwarf, mound-forming)
Foliage: Coppery-red to deep burgundy deciduous leaves, brilliant fall color
Flower color: Small yellow flowers in spring
Fruit: Bright red berries in fall/winter (attract birds)
Form: Compact, rounded shrub
Life cycle: Deciduous shrub
Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun (best foliage color) to light shade
Soil: Well-drained; tolerant of a range of soils
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Hardiness:
Zone Low: 4a
Zone High: 8b
Landscape use
Low borders and edging
Rock and cottage gardens
Containers and accent plantings
Groundcover or low hedging
Notes
Strong multi-season interest: foliage color in spring/summer, bright berries in fall/winter.
Very compact — excellent in small spaces or paired with dwarf perennials.
Sharp spines make it deer and rabbit resistant.
Branding / series information
Botanical name: Berberis thunbergii ‘Bagatelle’
Common name: Bagatelle Japanese Barberry
Group: Dwarf barberry cultivar
Market use: Ideal for low borders, edging, specimen accents, and compact landscape designs
Note: Berberis thunbergii species is regarded as invasive in some regions and restricted or phased out of sale in certain US states — check local guidelines before planting.
| Plant Type: | Deciduous Shrub |
| Width: | 12"-16" |
| Height: | 10"-12" |
| Fragrant: | Not verified |
| Fruit: | Not verified |
| Fruit Color | Dark Red, Red |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Zone: | 4–8 |
| Deer Resistant: | Not verified |
| Salt Tolerant: | Not verified |
| Drought Tolerant: | No |
| Exposure: | Full Sun |
| Bloom Time: | Late Spring, Spring |
| Bark Type: | Smooth |
| Landscape/Use: | Foundation, Groundcover, Mass Planting |
| Shape: | Rounded |
| Soil Type | Clay, Moist well-drained, Sandy well-drained |
| Flower Color: | Yellow |
| Leaf Color: | Purple, Dark Red |
| Fall Color: | Orange, Crimson, Purple, Dark Red |