Appearance

Growth form

This deciduous shrub usually grows 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) tall and wide, with many stems and short, sharp spines.

Leaves

The oval leaves, some wider near the tip, are 1–3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) long, have sharp teeth, and turn red to purple in fall.

Flowers

Small yellow flowers hang in long clusters in mid-spring.

Fruit

Bright red, egg-shaped berries appear in fall and may remain through winter.

Look-alikes

Japanese barberryBerberis thunbergii

Japanese barberry usually has smooth-edged leaves and flowers singly or in clusters of two to four. Korean Barberry has sharply toothed leaves and a longer cluster with many flowers.

Why they get mixed up · Both are thorny Asian shrubs with yellow spring flowers and red berries.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• garden borders
• hedges
• shrub collections

Range

It is native to Korea and is cultivated in North America; it has been introduced in Vermont.

Preferred conditions

It grows in full sun to partial shade and accepts many soil types if drainage is good.

Growing it

Propagation

It can be propagated by seeds or stem and root cuttings, and it may spread by suckers.

Toxicity

Bark, leaves, roots, and sap contain the alkaloid berberine; eating them can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Connected species

Ties with other wildlife

Birds visit the berries and can disperse the seeds.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories

• In U.S. landscapes it is used as a hedge, barrier, or specimen shrub.
• It can grow in U.S. hardiness zones 3a–7b.