Berberis thunbergii ‘Chocolate Summer’

Berberis thunbergii ‘Chocolate Summer’ catches the eye with its rich, chocolate-purple foliage that holds colour reliably through the seasons. Small yellow flowers appear in spring, barely noticeable but followed by bright red berries that add winter interest. The leaves emerge with that deep hue we love in our Thurning borders.

This cultivar grows to 1-1.5m tall and wide with a tidy, rounded habit. It thrives in any well-drained soil. Full sun brings out the deepest leaf colour, though it tolerates partial shade.

Prune lightly after berry drop to shape. It suits mixed borders, front of shrubberies or as a low hedge. Drought tolerant once established, from our Thurning grounds.