Orange Rocket Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket'

Southern Living®

Vibrant Spring-to-Fall Color Transformation: Apricot to Coral to Brick Red
Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 4-5 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Showy Yellow Blooms in Late Spring

$43⁷³

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#1 Container #2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun to achieve the most intense, vibrant orange and red foliage color. While it tolerates partial shade, the leaves will likely fade to a greener hue and the growth may become less dense.
Soil: This shrub adapts to many soil types but demands excellent drainage to prevent root rot. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with organic matter or plant in a raised mound to ensure water moves freely away from the roots.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to encourage a deep, extensive root system. Once established, Orange Rocket is impressively drought tolerant, though an occasional deep soak during prolonged dry spells helps prevent leaf scorch and keeps the color bright.

Pruning Tips

Prune in early spring before new growth begins to maintain its tight, columnar shape and remove any winter damage. Because it is grown primarily for foliage, you can also perform light structural trimming in summer to control size without worrying about sacrificing blooms.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as the new leaves start to push out. Avoid feeding after mid-summer, as late nitrogen applications can push tender growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts Birds, Clay Tolerant, Cold hardy, Deer-resistant, Disease resistant, Drought resistant, Fall Color/Interest, Full Sun, Heat Tolerant, Hedge/Screen, Low Maintenance, Non-invasive, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	4-5 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Other, Red, Purple, Green
Fragrant	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Barberry
Botanical Name	Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket'
Species	thunbergii
Cultivar	Orange Rocket
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CT, HI, ID, IN, KS, ME, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, SD, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Bold Orange Beauty! Orange Rocket Barberry!

People across the United States love the amazing range of tones on this unique upright Barberry shrub! The Orange Rocket Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket') has many features that make it an outstanding choice for your garden, especially in tough climactic conditions!

With the classic Barberry traits and a strongly columnar growth habit, the Southern Living Plants award-winning Orange Rocket grows to a nice height but stays narrow.

This ornamental shrub is cherished for its spring and fall color. You'll love the new spring growth and young leaves that emerge a pale, sweet apricot then age into a deeper coral and finally into a brick red.

Yes, all those hues are on the same plant - at the same time! Orange Rocket Columnar Barberry is very showy! People will definitely notice this plant!

The vivid spring leaves gradually age into a vibrant, bright green for summer. For the rest of the summer, Orange Rocket Barberry is a garden workhorse, with a nice, tidy, and upright shape. But in the fall, you'll have another incredible color show. As nights start getting cool, the fall foliage becomes a brilliant ruby red that lasts a long time.

This columnar Barberry can stand up to Zone 4 cold winters but can take the heat and high humidity of Zone 9 summers. Mother Nature can dish out her worst, and Orange Rocket performs beautifully. This vigorous plant is even deer-resistant thanks to the thorns!

While it is true that while some Barberry cultivars are invasive in some areas, they may not be invasive in all areas. So Nature Hills has taken the initiative to develop our own compliance company called Plant Sentry™ so that you will not be able to even purchase a plant that your state has prohibited because of invasiveness, insects, or disease. Plants may be available on our website, but if your state prohibits that plant from being shipped to you, the sale will not go through.

We have a full-time compliance officer who keeps those restrictions for all states current and up to date at all times. We are the only nursery selling plants online that is fully compliant according to each state's rules.

To find out, just enter your zip code above the Plant Highlights section of this product page. Or contact your local County Extension Office to learn more. Learn more about how we use Plant Sentry™ to work with all state and local agricultural laws in our Garden Blog.

Landscape Application:

Orange Rocket Barberry looks and acts like an exclamation point for your landscape! Place one near that special work of garden art to call attention to it. Orange Rocket can be used as a showy accent or specimen to accent your space.

Use Orange Rocket Barberry near your front entrance to boost your home's curb appeal. Just get ready cars may slow down as they drive past your house in spring and again in fall. Or use multiples in a shorter hedge or foundation planting. Orange Rocket Barberry makes an incredible addition to foundation plantings. This plant won't grow tall enough to obscure your view from the front window!

This Barberry is easy to squeeze into almost any landscape space you have! Let them grow naturally or shear them into a formal hedge. They make fantastic low hedges that steal the show. As you can imagine, its columnar shape really lends itself to hedging! Repeat them at intervals all along your garden border to create vignettes or other special garden hideaways and nooks.

Use a hedge of this colorful deciduous shrub as a backdrop to your other garden beds while screening out a messy neighbor. The fiery color all growing season is sure to light up your fire pit or provide privacy around the pool. The classic upright form is perfect for making colorful, narrow hedges for sunny locations where it is hot and dry.

The tiny thorns on the erect branches make this plant the perfect barrier plant, too. Protect your property with style! No one will want to walk through them when you plant them 2 to 3 feet apart on center. Or closer at 18 inches on center for a more uniform, tight hedge and seamless wall of orange!

Use this easy-care shrub in garden large containers. You can try them around the back deck or punctuate your patio. Imagine how this skinny plant can become a beacon in autumn. One would look terrific in planters on your patio or one on either side of your front door for a unique burst of color.

They are perfect partners for so many other plants, including prairie natives and Ornamental Grasses. Pair it with early flowering Quince shrubs and any yellow-toned groundcover. Or, allow Orange Rocket to pop against the backdrop of evergreen trees and shrubs. This visual display acts as a perfect backdrop to other spring-blooming plants. Try mixing it with Golden Rocket for a more vibrant effect!

Commercial property owners, take note. If you use Orange Rocket Barberry on your property, you will drive eyes to your side of the street. And don't worry, you won't have to fuss with this rugged little plant!

Apricot to Coral-Orange to Brick Spring Color Ages Bright Green All Summer
Thorny Stems Match The Foliages Changing Hue
Brilliant Ruby Red Fall Color!
Useful Columnar Growth Habit - Strong Vertical Form Stays Narrow
Tolerates Road Salt & Urban Conditions
Excellent Hedge Plants, Great in Containers & Pretty Barrier Plant

#ProPlantTips for Care:

For the best color, plant it in full sun. It will tolerate partial shade in hotter climates, as well. Just be sure to allow them morning sun and at least 5-6 hours of direct sun a day for that color!

Like many plants, Barberry needs well-drained soil. If you see puddles in your planting site after a rain, or after you dig a deep hole (call your Diggers Hotline first), you'll want to improve the drainage by creating a garden berm or raised bed. Add 18 - 24 inches of soil in a large mound, then plant in that mound.

When your plants are young, give them moderate amounts of water regularly to help their roots get established in your soil. Give young plants water if you have an extended drought. After the first few seasons, it will become tolerant of drought.

Pruning for wayward branches can be done at any time. Pruning the top on a regular basis allows the sides to fill in more heavily. It's a beautiful look!

But before shearing your hedge, you might want to enjoy the first flush of new growth in spring and let the bees have the nectar from the tiny bell-shaped yellow blossoms. The color and the hum of pollinators truly are spectacular!

Older plants can be rejuvenated by renewal pruning. Completely remove several of the older, fatter stems every 3-5 years, cutting them out all the way down to the ground. Allow the younger thinner stems to remain and they will regrow fast with fresh, more vigorous, and colorful growth.

Easy Care & Cold Hardy - Can Take High Heat & Humidity
Best Color In Full Sun (Some Part Shade In Hot Climates)
Needs Well-Drained Soil
Moderate to Low Moisture - Drought Tolerant Once Established
Prune Spring After First Flush Of Color/Flowers
Sophisticated, Easy Care Shrub
Displays Good Rust Resistance & Rarely Bothered by Deer

Get a columnar color boost! If you want an outstanding specimen plant that won't outgrow its space, use Orange Rocket. This smaller shrub makes a big statement. Orange Rocket Barberry is a colorful ornamental that delivers a lot for its small size. Order today!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Orange Rocket Barberry suitable for?

Orange Rocket Barberry thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. This tough shrub handles both harsh winter cold down to zone 4 and hot, humid summers up to zone 9. Check your specific zone to ensure this columnar barberry will perform well in your climate.

What is the mature size (height and width) of Orange Rocket Barberry?

Orange Rocket Barberry reaches 4-6 feet tall and stays narrow at just 1-2 feet wide, making it perfect for tight spaces. This columnar shrub maintains its upright shape naturally without pruning. Shop at Nature Hills for this compact, colorful addition to your landscape.

Is Orange Rocket Barberry drought tolerant once established?

Orange Rocket Barberry becomes drought tolerant once established, typically after the first growing season. This hardy shrub thrives in Zones 4-9 and handles tough climatic conditions well. Water regularly the first year, then reduce watering as the deep root system develops.

Does Orange Rocket Barberry require full sun or can it handle partial shade?

Orange Rocket Barberry thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This hardy shrub adapts well to various light conditions while maintaining its vibrant spring apricot-to-coral coloration and brilliant ruby red fall display. For the most intense color development, plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

How and when should I prune Orange Rocket Barberry?

Prune Orange Rocket Barberry in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This columnar shrub naturally maintains its upright shape, so only light pruning is needed to remove dead or damaged branches. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance beauty.

Is Orange Rocket Barberry invasive, or is this cultivar non-invasive?

Orange Rocket Barberry invasiveness varies by location, as some Barberry cultivars are prohibited in certain states but allowed in others. This thorny, deer-resistant shrub thrives in Zones 4-9 with excellent cold and heat tolerance. Check your local regulations before planting, as restrictions depend on your specific area.

Are there thorns on Orange Rocket Barberry, and is it safe for planting near walkways?

Orange Rocket Barberry has thorns that make it deer-resistant, so it's not ideal for high-traffic walkways where people might brush against it. The thorns are part of the classic Barberry traits that help this tough shrub thrive in Zones 4-9. Plant it at least 3 feet back from walkways or choose a thornless alternative for areas with frequent foot traffic.

What is the warranty or guarantee for Orange Rocket Barberry upon arrival?

Orange Rocket Barberry comes with a standard nursery guarantee covering plant health and quality upon arrival. Most reputable nurseries offer 30-60 day guarantees for shrubs like this hardy Zone 4-9 performer. Inspect your plant immediately when it arrives and contact the nursery within their specified timeframe if you notice any damage or health issues.

Are there common pests or diseases I should watch for with Orange Rocket Barberry?

Orange Rocket Barberry is naturally pest and disease resistant, with thorns that even deter deer browsing. Like most barberry varieties, it may occasionally face aphids or scale insects in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent issues.