Japanese barberry ‘Green Carpet’ (Berberis thunbergii ‘Green Carpet’)

The Japanese barberry ‘Green Carpet’ (Berberis thunbergii ‘Green Carpet’) variety is a thorny deciduous shrub that stands out for its creeping growth. In this article we will learn how to plant and the details for growing this plant.

Plant profile

Common name: Japanese barberry 'Green Carpet'
Scientific name: Berberis thunbergii 'Green Carpet'
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 50cm - 1.5m
Spread: 50cm - 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Foliage color: Green (spring), Green (summer), Orange (autumn), Red (autumn), Yellow (autumn)
Flower color: Yellow
Fruit color: Red
Season of interest: Autumn, Spring, Summer
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Formal garden, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance

It reaches a maximum of 1m in height and 1.5m in width, but as the branches touch the soil, they develop roots and spread on the ground. It is an excellent plant for ground cover, given its adaptability to various types of soils and its growth habit.

The branches are arched and the leaves are small and apple-green in color. In autumn they acquire colors in shades of yellow, orange and red depending on where they are growing.

The flowers are yellow in the spring and produce berries that ripen over the season and turn red. They are a very popular food for small birds.

Handle this plant using gloves and eye protection because of the thorns.

How to plant

Berberis like to be planted in full sun but tolerate partial shade. They adapt to any type of soil as long as it is not waterlogged.

Propagation

Berberis can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering or division. Specific varieties, such as this case, must be propagated by vegetative methods to maintain their characteristics.
It is very easy to reproduce Berberis by cuttings and by division.