We're offering you a Berberis Thunbergii Admiration Plant for £19.99, saving you up to 43% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £34.99 (correct as of 18.12.2025).

Transform Your Garden with Berberis Thunbergii 'Admiration'

Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration', also known as Japanese Barberry, is a compact deciduous shrub prized for its dazzling foliage and easy-care nature. This cultivar is renowned for its vivid red-orange leaves edged in golden yellow, delivering an instant burst of colour to any garden setting.

• Botanical Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)
• Mature Size: Up to 50cm tall and wide, forming a neat, rounded habit
• Growth Rate: Rapid, achieving its full shape within just a few seasons
• Foliage: Red-orange with yellow margins; intensifies in spring and autumn
• Flowers & Fruit: Tiny pale yellow flowers in late spring followed by small red berries (attractive to birds)

Why Choose 'Admiration'?

• Natural Privacy: Dense branching forms an effective low hedge or border.
• Disease Resistance: Known for resilience against common pests and diseases.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and little ongoing care.
• Tolerant of Urban Conditions: Performs well in city gardens as well as rural settings.

Planting & Growing Guide

• Best Planting Time: Plant from autumn to early spring while dormant for best establishment.
• Soil Requirements: Grows well in most well-drained soils; tolerates pH from slightly acidic to neutral.
• Sun/Shade Needs: Prefers full sun for brightest colour but will tolerate partial shade.
• Caring Tips: Water regularly during the first growing season; mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape; remove any dead or damaged stems in winter.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK (RHS H6; USDA zones 4–8).

Garden Design Ideas

• Create colourful low hedges or borders along paths and driveways.
• Mix with evergreen shrubs like Euonymus or Skimmia for year-round structure.
• Add contrast with silver-leaved plants such as Artemisia or lavender.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant Berberis 'Admiration'?
  The ideal time is from autumn to early spring while the plant is dormant. Avoid planting during hot, dry periods.
• How fast does this shrub grow?
  'Admiration' is fast-growing, usually reaching mature size (up to 50cm) within two to three seasons under good conditions.
• What soil does it prefer?
  This Berberis thrives in most well-drained soils, from slightly acidic to neutral pH. It’s tolerant of clay, loam, or sandy soils if drainage is good.