barberry
Berberis vulgaris
RHS Plants for Pollinators
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is an arching shrub for pollinator gardens and food gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Yellow flowers open in early to late spring and again in early to late summer. Butterflies, bees, and birds visit the plant, and it grows at a moderate pace.
Pairs well with Sensation lilac, Nodding onion, Stella de Oro daylily, and White oak.
Native range
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and 6 more places. See all 10
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Corse, Krym, NW. Balkan Pen., Sardegna, Sicilia, and Türkiye.