Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry

Berberis thunbergii SUNJOY 'O'Byrne'

Proven Winners®

Tangerine-Orange Foliage with Chartreuse Margins Creates Year-Round Garden Drama
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant
Showy Yellow Blooms in Late Spring
Top Pick for Privacy Screen or Hedge

$26¹⁴

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Plant Size

Quart Container #3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the brightest fluorescent orange color, plant in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can handle partial shade, the foliage will likely fade to a duller greenish-bronze and the growth habit will become leggy.
Soil: This barberry thrives in well-drained soil and is not picky about pH levels. If you have heavy clay that holds water, plant it in a raised mound or add compost to the backfill to ensure the roots do not sit in soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry twice a week to help the root system expand into the surrounding soil. Once it is established, this shrub is remarkably drought tolerant and generally only needs supplemental water during extreme summer heatwaves. If the plant is consistently underwatered before it is established, you may notice scorched leaf edges or premature leaf drop.

Pruning Tips

Because this variety is grown for its vibrant foliage rather than flowers, you can prune it almost any time, but late winter or early spring is best. This shrub naturally maintains a tidy, mounded shape, so you only need to give it a light "haircut" to maintain its size or remove any stray branches. Pruning early in the season encourages a flush of fresh, brightly colored new growth, which is where the orange hue is most intense.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release "shrub and tree" fertilizer in early spring as the new leaves begin to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall, as this stimulates soft, tender growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season growth is easily damaged by freezing temperatures, which can invite disease into the plant.

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, Container Friendly, 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, Thornless
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Yellow, Other, Red, Green
Fragrant	Yes
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Barberry
Botanical Name	Berberis thunbergii SUNJOY 'O'Byrne'
Species	thunbergii
Cultivar	O
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

It's hard to imagine a more beautiful shrub than one ablaze in spicy accents of orange and yellow...and Proven Winners® Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry PP#26,546 (Berberis thunbergii SUNJOY 'O'Byrne') will bring that type of dazzling display to your yard this year!

Each diminutive leaf is an artistic demonstration of natural beauty with its tangerine-orange hue outlined with delicate chartreuse margins. The effect of the uniquely-colored foliage on this dense shrub is simply breathtaking! Tiny yellow flowers accent the shrub in spring and your Tangelo™ becomes a pollinator hotspot.

Your Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry has a mounded habit that grows naturally beautiful but is amenable to a bit of pruning if you so desire. Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry maintains its colorful appearance from spring through fall, and its hardy nature brings it back again year after year! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 8, these 3-4 foot tall and wide deciduous shrubs hold their own against larger trees and shrubs!

Stronger growing than other variegated cultivars, Sunjoy® Barberry are certified wheat-rust resistant. Highly deer-resistant, the birds will adore the tiny berries that form in the fall. But this is part of the reason, that in some areas Barberry performs "too well".

Find out if you can safely grow these delightfully colorful shrubs in your community. Type in your zip code in our Hardiness Zone Finder, located above the Plant Highlights to find out, or contact your local County Extension Office. We follow all federal and state regulations to the letter. In fact, we've invested in the Green Industry's premier online regulation software, Plant Sentry™. That system blocks the shipment of all invasive pests and plant material from entering your state.

Landscape Application:

A zingy accent to spice up your landscape!

Planted as a border or hedge, Sunjoy® Tangelo™ makes an outstanding decorative statement. However, even planting just one in a drab corner of the yard can add a splash of invigorating color to your home! Pot up in large containers or plant in the ground to accent either side of your front steps, or mark the entrance into your backyard.

Living fences are less expensive than hardscaped, so add Tangelo™ as a colorful hedge to jazz up the visual impact of mature evergreen hedges, mixed shrub borders, or windbreaks. Create a solid screen by planting them two feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. You'll have an instant garden focal point!

Thorns are located along the branches, so you'll be able to direct traffic and protect your property with this variety. Sunjoy® Barberry makes a great deterrent under windows and at your property line. If you are on a corner lot, you'll know that the struggle is real. This plant tells the neighborhood to "stay off the grass", but in a handsome way. Try mixing with other Sunjoy® Barberries for a showy contrast!

Use these low-maintenance shrubs in commercial landscapes where the bold color will certainly catch the eye! They'll help you maximize the curb appeal of your home, business, or both!

Brilliant Orange & Chartreuse Ornamental Foliage
Outstanding Fall Color
Tiny Yellow Blossoms for Pollinators
Rounded Compact Form & Strong Growth
Great Barrier Plant, Colorful Accents, Backdrops & Borders

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Barberries develop the best color in full sun for best results and handle some shade too, but the color just won't be as bright in partially shaded locations. Any type of well-drained, slightly acidic soil with average moisture access is perfect for these shrubs! Keep your plant watered during each summertime using the "Finger Test" while your plant is young. Barberry is very adaptable and tolerant of many conditions, so won't require a lot of care from you.

In early spring, use a fertilizer formula for acid-loving plants according to label directions. Add a thick 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch, pine bark or pine straw mulch over the root system, which will also help keep the soil slightly acidic and retain soil moisture.

Pruning after flowering, or shear into a more formal shape. But little pruning is required unless you wish to change its shape or overall size. Wear thick, leather gloves before working with Barberry! Sunjoy® Tangelo™ is versatile and hardy, possessing burn and rust resistance, as well as being drought tolerant and seldom eaten by Deer.

Full Sun For Best Color
Slightly Acidic Well-Drained Soils
Moderate to Low Moisture - Drought Tolerant Once Established
Prune/Shear Right After Flowering
Deer, Pest & Disease Resistant

For unique foliage, you can't go wrong with the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® showy marvel, the Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry is a prime example! The two-toned leaves and easy-care nature combine to make this unique Barberry variety an easy choice for your home this year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry suitable for?

Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. This deciduous shrub returns reliably each year in these zones, maintaining its vibrant orange and chartreuse foliage from spring through fall. Check your specific zone using a hardiness zone finder to confirm suitability for your area.

Does this plant prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry thrives in full sun to partial shade, with full sun producing the most vibrant orange and chartreuse foliage colors. In zones 4-8, this hardy shrub maintains its colorful display from spring through fall. Shop at Nature Hills for best results in sunny locations.

What type of soil does the Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry need to thrive?

Sunjoy® Tangelo™ Barberry thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including poor soils. This hardy shrub adapts to various pH levels and drought conditions once established. Plant in zones 4-8 with good drainage to prevent root rot.

Does this variety have thorns and are they sharp enough to be a safety concern?

Yes, Sunjoy Tangelo Barberry has sharp thorns that can be a safety concern. Like all Berberis thunbergii varieties, this shrub produces pointed thorns along its stems that can cause scratches or puncture wounds. Plant away from high-traffic areas and walkways, and wear thick gloves when pruning this colorful shrub available at naturehills.com.