Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is a Japanese barberry that you can’t help but admire because of its beautiful color scheme. Bright, fleshy, coral-colored leaves are outlined by gold edges. This coloration is in marked contrast to the uniformly dark burgundy leaves of its parent plant. It’s a hardy deciduous dwarf shrub that grows well in many soil conditions.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Incredibly beautiful, award-winning Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Admiration’, also called Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’, is a compact, dwarf, deciduous shrub with a showy foliage of glowing coral-red leaves adorned with thin golden-yellow margins. The striking coloring remains throughout the summer and deepens in fall.
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ grows with a tight compact habit to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 cm). Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. ‘Admiration’ is perfect for brightening borders or containers and ideal for small gardens.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ requires ample amounts of sunlight to maintain its brightly colored leaves with a minimum of 6-7 hours of direct sunlight. As it is remarkably tolerant of a variety of conditions, it will grow in partial sun and even under only 80% of full sun. However, when grown in shade, its colorful foliage will turn greenish.
Temperature
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ handles temperature extremes well, being able to survive temperatures down to -25 ℃. As it is a low feeder, it also doesn’t require much watering. Drainage is an important factor, and in a normally draining soil, you can water your japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ only when the top 5 cm of soil go dry.
Watering
Adapted to the temperate climates of its native habitat, japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ thrives with moderate moisture and displays a notable drought tolerance. Its preference for well-drained soil aligns with a balanced approach to watering, avoiding both over-saturation and excessive dryness. For optimal health, japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ should be watered twice a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. Typically grown outdoors due to its hardy nature, japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is an ornamental shrub that can maintain vibrant foliage even during periods of low rainfall, making it a resilient choice for gardeners in varying climate zones.
Soil
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil (6.0-6.5 pH). It can grow in all soil types (sandy, loamy and clay), but you should add certain amendments. If you are planting in quick-draining soil, mix in some peat moss or compost to improve drainage. Organic compost can also improve the acidity of your soil.
Fertilizing
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is a light feeder but will benefit from some additional nutrition. You can apply some slow-release shrub-type fertilizers with higher nitrogen content. If using organic fertilizer like manor, be sure to mix in some with the topsoil. Mulches like wood chips, shredded bark or pine needles will provide additional organic matter as they slowly decompose. About a 5 cm layer of mulch should be applied around the plant, but not next to the trunk as this can promote stem rot.
Planting Instructions
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is best grown from a seedling. Dig a hole two times wider and the same depth as the height of the plant’s root ball. If planting in well-drained soil, the upper edge of the root ball should be roughly the same level as the topsoil. If the soil drains too quickly, the root ball will fall inside the hole a bit. In that case, it should be roughly 2.5 cm above the ground level. Upon setting your plant into the planting hole, fill it with the soil, and water generously at the end. It is always smart to add root stimulator to the water after planting, which is easily available at most gardening stores.
Pruning
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ does not necessarily require pruning, but pruning can significantly increase its vigor. Also, if planting japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ as a hedge plant, you should get an early start in properly shaping it. By trimming branches, you can thin the crown to improve ventilation and sunlight. This reduces humidity and the development of leaf pathogens (they thrive more in humid and dark places).
Pruning should be performed in spring to avoid exposing bare and growing tissues to too much moisture during autumn or frost damage during winter. Trim the old and infected branches, and branches that grow outside of the shape you desire. The golden rule is that not to cut away more than 1/3 of its canopy, and all cuts should be on a slight angle facing away from the bud. Always wear gloves when trimming japanese barberry ‘Admiration’. Remember to disinfect your tools at the beginning to minimize the chances of cross-contamination.
Propagation
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is a compact, ornamental shrub with distinctive reddish-purple foliage and a dense, rounded growth habit. Enthusiasts looking to propagate japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ will find success through cuttings. For best results, semi-hardwood cuttings should be taken from healthy stems. The cut ends dipped in rooting hormone increase the chances of successful root development. Plant the prepared cuttings in a well-drained, sterile potting mix, providing consistent moisture and warmth to encourage rooting. Patience is key, as japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ may take several weeks to establish a strong root system.
Transplanting
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ thrives best when transplanted between early to late spring, as this period allows roots to establish before summer heat. Opt for a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil for successful growth.
III. Uses and Benefits
Japanese barberry ‘Admiration’ is very adaptable. It is excellent choice as a single specimen plant, massed in beds, borders, as informal screens or hedges.