Crimson Cutie® Barberry

This mounding shrub is part of the WorryFree® Non-invasive Collection, bred and tested to be non-invasive. Crimson Cutie® Barberry produces beautiful colors throughout the year—yellow flowers in the spring and deep purplish-red foliage year round. But it won’t produce unwanted, nuisance seedlings or spread to unwanted areas. Reaching up to 2 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide, this is a great addition to a mixed low hedge or border. 

Crimson Cutie® Barberry is part of a series of non-invasive Japanese barberries that were bred and tested by the University of Connecticut. It is low maintenance and can be used in hedges and borders. And you needn’t worry about deer with this evergreen shrub. It is also drought tolerant once established.

Crimson Cutie® Barberry Plant Care

Crimson Cutie® Barberry can take full or partial sun, but will do best in a sunny location to bring out its beautiful, deep purplish foliage color—a minimum of 7 hours of direct sunlight is recommended. It’s also adaptable to soil type, but does best in well-draining soils. Barberry grows best in an acidic to slightly alkaline soil between pH 6.0 and 7.5. Water your Crimson Cutie® Barberry immediately after planting, giving it a deep soak. During the growth season, you can allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings, as well-spaced, deep waterings are better than a little daily splash. Take care not to overwater in the winter when this shrub is semi-dormant. It is heat and drought tolerant once established. Fertilize in spring before new growth emerges. Use a slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer or natural, organic plant food. 

The Crimson Cutie® Barberry does not need pruning but responds well to it, forming a mound with a little clipping. Give it a light trim in late spring to enhance its shape. There is no need to trim after flowering. Damaged or stray branches can be removed anytime of year. Prune damaged branches at the point of breakage and dead branches at their origin.

Crimson Cutie® Barberry Plant Spacing

When planting en masse or as a single plant, space your barberry plants 3 feet apart from other plants, center to center. If growing as a hedge plant, space plants 24 inches apart, center to center.

Crimson Cutie® Barberry Information