BERBERIS. Barberry. Widespread, especially in Asia. Someday soon we will have to yield to the latest botanical pronouncements and include the plants fondly known as mahonias under this heading. For now, however, let us continue the traditional division of the groups. The following are spiny shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous. All have beautiful foliage, small, waxy flowers and interesting, sometimes colorful and tasty berries. They are useful as specimen shrubs, foundation plants, hedges and barriers (some are wickedly spiny). They thrive in full sun or light shade and most soils, with moderate to occasional watering when established. Their hardiness varies.

thunbergii. Japanese barberry. There are many cultivated forms of the common Japanese barberry, used as hedges and foundation plants. All are deciduous and have needle-sharp spines and attractive oval leaves, ½-1" long, often coloring beautifully in fall. Clusters of small yellow flowers dot the plants in summer, followed by red berries. ‘Crimson Pygmy’ is a popular dwarf, seldom over 2' tall with broader spread. It has deep purplish red leaves. ‘Aurea’ is about the same size or a little larger, with bright yellow new growth, changing on the older leaves to lime-green. ‘Gold Ring’ is one of the larger selections. It should reach 6' or more, with arching, intricately branched trunks. The leaves are nearly round, up to 3/4” long, painted deep purple with a narrow yellow rim. ‘Rose Glow’ is smaller, with purplish red and light pink intermingled in each leaf. Hardy to below 0^oF.