Hollyleaved Barberry (Berberis aquifolium)

How much light does a Hollyleaved Barberry need?

Hollyleaved barberry grows best in light shade. Its color will bleach out if it grows in full sun. The plant's listed light range is part shade to full shade. Part shade is the preferred condition, and full shade is also listed. Choose a spot with light shade rather than full sun for the best color.

• Light: Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)^1,2

Best soil for a Hollyleaved Barberry

Hollyleaved barberry is listed for soil that is well drained and moist. The sources describe good drainage and moist, well-drained, acid loams. Loams that are acid, moist and well drained match that description. Drainage is the main soil factor the sources record for this shrub. A moist, well-drained, acid loam fits both drainage terms listed for this plant. Its listing pairs these soil terms with part shade as the preferred light.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,2

Hardiness and temperature

Hollyleaved barberry is hardy in USDA zones 5a to 8b. The listed half-zones are 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b. The shrub is a broadleaf evergreen. It is native to the lower 48 US states. Zone 4 and colder fall outside the listed range.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b^3,1

How to plant a Hollyleaved Barberry

Check that your site is in USDA zones 5a to 8b before you plant. Leave room for a shrub that reaches 3–6 ft (0.91–1.83 m) tall. The spread is 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) wide, in an upright form with few branches. Light shade suits it best, since its color bleaches out in full sun. Its listing also calls for good drainage.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b^3,1

Winter care

The shrub is a broadleaf evergreen. Its listed hardiness runs from zone 5a to zone 8b. Zone 5a is the coldest zone in that listing, and 8b is the warmest. Zones colder than 5a are outside the listed range. Zones warmer than 8b are also outside the listed range. The listing covers eight half-zones from 5a through 8b.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–8b^3,1

How to propagate a Hollyleaved Barberry

Seed, stem cuttings and division are the listed ways to propagate hollyleaved barberry. The listing names three methods: seed, stem cuttings and division. Stem cuttings are one of those methods, and the listing gives timing advice for them. The timing advice for cuttings refers to exposure to cold. Seed and division are listed without further detail.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and division²

Common problems

Recorded pests include Ceroplastes ceriferus, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pseudococcus comstocki, Halyomorpha halys and Drosophila suzukii. The list continues with Malacosoma parallela, Xylosandrus compactus, Pochazia shantungensis and Cacoecimorpha pronubana. Recorded diseases are Puccinia graminis, Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae. Each pest and disease name is recorded under the host name Berberis.

• Common pests: ceroplastes ceriferus, pseudaulacaspis pentagona, pseudococcus comstocki, halyomorpha halys, drosophila suzukii, malacosoma parallela, xylosandrus compactus, pochazia shantungensis and cacoecimorpha pronubana⁴
• Common diseases: puccinia graminis, phytophthora ramorum and phytophthora kernoviae⁴

Questions and answers

Is hollyleaved barberry toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists hollyleaved barberry as non-toxic to cats and as non-toxic to dogs. NC State's Plant Toolbox also marks it non-toxic for cats and for dogs.

How much light does hollyleaved barberry need?

It grows best in light shade, and part shade is the preferred condition. Part shade and full shade are both listed. Its color will bleach out if it grows in full sun.

How big does hollyleaved barberry get?

It reaches 3–6 ft (0.91–1.83 m) tall and 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) wide. Its growth rate is slow. It is an evergreen shrub with an upright form and few branches.