Crimson Pygmy Dwarf Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'
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Crimson Pygmy Dwarf Japanese Barberry is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Crimson Pygmy Dwarf Japanese Barberry highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun, Partial Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring

Growing Zones 4-8
Need a low-maintenance, densely-growing shrub that is big on color impact? The Crimson Pygmy Dwarf Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy') is a highly compact shrub that forms a mounded burst of glossy color!
The foliage is deep crimson red, fine-textured, and turns a deeper burgundy in the fall. It produces red-tinged pale yellow flowers that bloom in March and April and feed your local bees and butterflies, followed by glossy red fruit the birds will seek out!
Hardy in heat and cold throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 8, this petite shrub grows just 18-24 inches tall, and becomes a tightly packed glossy color! Growing just 2-3 feet wide, Crimson Pygmy struts its stuff without any issues with pests, diseases, and even deer are rarely an issue due to the numerous small thorns.
Please note, that in some locations, Barberry can grow a bit "too well". Find out if you can safely include these colorful shrubs in your landscape by typing in your zip code in our Hardiness Zone Finder, located above the Plant Highlights to find out, or contact your local County Extension Office for more information.
Planting and Application:
A fantastic edging plant, create a living border definition with less maintenance and cost compared to hardscaping barriers! Plus few will want to cross a row of prickly Barberries! Easy screening and privacy, plus deterring deer and foot traffic is a win-win when you include its impressive color and ease to grow!
Just below those beautiful red leaves are the tiniest, and sharpest thorns, but since the plant requires so little maintenance, you won't encounter the thorns very often. Just be sure to plant about 1-2 feet away from walkways and seating areas to avoid snagging clothing.
Low enough to hide the leggy stems of your foundation plantings, while boosting security around first-story windows, you'll love the look that pops against any color home! Front yard landscaping has never been easier with these tough shrubs, and you can create big splashes of color that easily stand up to urban environments and pollution.
Keep the dog out of your veggies or the neighbor kids from cutting through your yard Not just for more utilitarian uses, these workhorses are also pretty enough as specimen plants and for general landscaping in tight spaces! Crimson Pygmy Barberry glow as backdrops to highlight your Roses and mixed perennial gardens, they literally shine as part of a mixed shrub border, and look great in the sun as groupings to shelter birds and create pops of vibrant color!
- Glossy Purple-Red-Dark Green Foliage
- Very Compact Dwarf Growth!
- Bright Fall Color
- Spring Flowers For Pollinators
- Fall Berries For Birds
- Gorgeous Colorful Barriers, Low Hedges, Edging & Facer Plants
#ProPlantTips for Care:
A great, low-maintenance landscape plant, Dwarf Japanese Barberry needs full sun to part shade; full sun will produce the best foliage color, but in warmer climates, you can plant in afternoon shade, but more shade means the foliage will turn more green but retain its density and glossy appeal.
Highly adaptable to any type of well-drained soil, Barberry appreciates slightly acidic conditions. Plant with Nature Hills Root Booster and ensure a consistent watering schedule for new plants. Try using the Finger Test to make sure you don't let new installations dry out. Once established Barberry is quite drought-tolerant! Provide a nice 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to protect the top of the roots. You can let it grow freely or prune or shear after flowering.
- Great Color In Full Sun
- Moderate Moisture & Acidic Well-Drained Soil
- Drought Tolerant Once Established
- Low-Maintenance - Prune After Flowering If Needed
- Deer & Pest Resistant
Big on color but space-saving, the Crimson Pygmy Dwarf Japanese Barberry bush will add its many features to your landscape without asking for much in return! Order without worry when you buy from NatureHills.com! We follow all federal and state regulations to the letter. In fact, we've invested in the Green Industry's premier regulation software, Plant Sentry™. This system blocks the shipment of all invasive pests and plant material from entering your state.