Berberis thunbergii atropurpureum, the Red leaf barberry is, in nature, a small ornamental shrub reaching 3-6 feet tall, but they are also making great bonsai subjects. It is also used as a hedge, barrier or in groupings. It is native to Japan. Beautiful red, yellow and green foliage in Spring through Summer. The spatulate leaves are deep red-burgundy in full sun. The fall color is a brilliant crimson-red. The trunk easily developed. Small spines occur along the stems. Stems, branches, and roots are brittle and easily broken when bent. Flowers yellow, in late April and early May, in pendulous clusters directly from the stems. Not showy from a distance but attractive when viewed close-up. The red ellipsoid small berry-like fruits are sparse to rare on the cultivars, but often persist into the following Spring when present, but are almost never dense enough to be showy. Hardiness zones 4-8, (-32øC/-25øF,-10øC/15øF) in Winter. Grow in full sun to partial sun but not performing as well in the humidity of hotter climates. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil, but otherwise is adaptable to poor soils, various soil pHs, soil compaction, drought, and pollution. Red barberry has moderate water requirements.