This deciduous shrub is compact, adaptable, very hardy and shows off striking yellow foliage year-round.

It produces far fewer fruits and seeds than other Japanese barberry cultivars, some of which are seriously invasive.

But when using it to edge a pedestrian sidewalk, be prepared to keep it well-trimmed.

Barberry is normally planted as potted nursery specimens in spring or fall.

Golden barberry has a moderate growth rate, adding about 1 foot per year.

Beyond, there is very little you better do to ensure the shrub thrives.

Light

Doing best in full sun, this shrub also manages well in partial shade.

Soil

The golden barberry isn’t fussy when it comes tosoil key in.

It does well in dry and moist soils.

The only issue it will have is growing in soils that regularly become waterlogged.

Standing water is a problem for this species, so check that the soil is well-drained.

It tolerates both acidic soils and slightly alkaline soils.

Water

This shrub is reasonablydrought-tolerantand only requires a middling amount of moisture to thrive.

Be careful not to water unnecessarily, as this can impact the shrub’s color and vigor.

Fertilizer

The hardy golden barberry doesn’t need regular applications of fertilizer to ensure good growth.

For established shrubs, fertilizing only every second or third year will be sufficient.

There are many dozens of them, many with reddish foliage, others with yellow-green.

In other areas, there will be no exemptions, and Japanese barberry will be unavailable in any form.

Pruning

The golden barberry is a compact and slow-growing shrub, with a naturally rounded shape.

Any major pruning you do should happen in early spring as new growth is beginning.

This can be accomplished by pruning out selected older stems all the way down to ground level.

Avoid all pruning for a month or so before the first winter frost.

But if necessary, some pruning can be done after winter sets in and the shrub goes dormant.

That way, you are guaranteed to get a bush that can produce a very similar shade of foliage.

Planting from collected seeds can result in plants with a different foliage color.

Seedlings need to be kept well-watered and warm to get to grow into viable plants.

As the plants get larger, you might pot them into a larger container.

Be aware of this when choosing a location for a potted barberry.

In colder climates, a potted barberry should be moved to a sheltered location for the colder months.

Overwintering

These are very hardy shrubs that generally don’t need winter cold protection.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Golden barberry has no notable pest and disease problems.

Occasional pest problems include aphids, webworms, and scale.

These can be treated with horticultural oilsor simply ignored, as the damage is rarely serious.

So there is generally no reason to seek improved flowering.

Should it be important to you, confirm the plant is getting plenty of direct sunlight.

If you use this as a hedge along sidewalks, be prepared to prune diligently.

Although less aggressive than other cultivars, golden barberry will gradually spread to form thicket colonies.

Golden barberry is sometimes planted in small groups as a specimen screen, or in mixed shrubbery borders.

Be wary about planting it near public woods or naturalized areas, as it is likely to spread.

However, any remaining seeds in the soil can, and usually do, resprout the following year.

Fortunately, ‘Aurea’ is less troublesome in this regard than other cultivars.

The aptly named ‘thornless’ is a yellow-leaved Japanese barberry that is largely without barbs.

This makes for a good option for homes with small children or for use along busy sidewalks.

There are even yellow-green cypress and other evergreens to choose from.

‘Aurea’, the golden barberry, is one such plant.

Safe & Poisonous Garden Plants.University of California.