| EVERGREEN PREMIER SELECTION
Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy'
Overall Description
Smaller,
dwarf
version of the original Red Barberry. Nice dark blood red leaves
keep their color all the way from spring till frost. Has a neat,
compact, round growth habit. Makes an excellent foreground plant, or
for use as a smaller, lower growing border / edging planting. Makes a
great little low growing "barbed fence" when planted in hedge type
applications ( approx 2-3 ft apart ). Maintains a generally rounded,
globe shape naturally, but looks especially nice & neat if kept
trimmed throughout the growing season. Burgundy red color is best
displayed in full sun planting locations....will fade to green with
touches of burgundy in shady spots, or locations with less than
adequate sun exposure. Fall color is more of a bright red than
burgundy, with leaves eventually falling off in late fall - exact
timing will vary depending on just what part of the country you are in.
Plant Facts & Specifications
Mature Height: 24"-30"
Mature Width: 24"-30"
Growth rate: Slow to moderate ( 4"-6" avg per yr )
Hardiness Zones: 4-9 ( if unsure of your zone, please use zone finder below )
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade - best burgundy color in full sun.
Soil Preference: Average, slightly moist - well drained. Mulching recommended twice per year.
Foliage Color & Texture: Small
rounded leaves with good dark burgundy color in sunny locations. Inner
portions of the plant will have a green foliage, with the outer, more
sun exposed areas being burgundy colored. Fall color is bright red.
Branches are generously covered in very sharp, spiny barbs.
Flower, Cone, Or Berry Facts: Small
white flowers can be observed in little clusters beginning in early
April, and lasting well through the end of May. Exact flowering time
will vary, depending on your area of the country - the warmer your
climate, the earlier you will see them. Small 1/4" long bright red,
oval shaped seed pods can be easily seen on Crimson Pygmy Barberry in
late fall, after the leaves have dropped. Each bright red seed pod has
one seed in it, and will remain on the shrub throughout the
winter....giving it a very nice winter appearance as well.
Diseases / Insects: Usually
barberries have little or no trouble at all under normal landscape
conditions, but some of the possible noted pests / diseases that could
be encountered are: Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, root rots, rusts
(Japanese Barberry is not susceptible), wilt, barberry aphid, barberry
webworm, and possibly scale.
Fertilization / Feeding: Either
water
soluble ( Miracle Gro, or equivalent ), or granular all purpose tree
& shrub fertilizer is recommended for regular maintenance type
feedings. Other granular types with 6-12-12, or 10-10-10 ratio is
acceptable. Best to begin a regular scheduled feeding / fertilizing
schedule in very early spring ( upon discovering new bud break ), and
to continue regular weekly feedings through the entire spring season,
up until early summer -
avoid feeding during hot summer months, and directly after
transplanting. Another shorter feeding schedule can be resumed again in
very late summer through mid fall if desired to give the plants another
quick burst of nutrition, but usually not necessary.
Additional pictures & information available by clicking here.
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