Berberis thunbergii ‘Florence’

This Japanese barberry cultivar brings year-round colour to the garden. The deep purple leaves emerge in spring and hold their rich tone through summer, shifting to brilliant orange-red as temperatures drop in autumn. Small, pale yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by red berries that mature to black.

‘Florence’ is a compact, upright shrub reaching around 1.5 metres tall and 1 metre wide at maturity. It grows at a moderate pace and prefers full sun to light shade, though the deepest leaf colour develops in brighter positions. It tolerates most well-drained soils and is notably drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for challenging spots.

Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead wood. The thorny stems make this shrub excellent for defensive hedging, whilst its compact habit suits smaller borders and containers. It pairs well with silver-foliaged plants and golden conifers to create striking colour contrasts.