What soil does Hybrid barberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Hybrid barberry hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

Is Hybrid barberry toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Hybrid barberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Hybrid barberry be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 80 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

When does Hybrid barberry flower?

Flowering: April–June, yellow.

How much water does Hybrid barberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Hybrid barberry

Berberis × media

Hybrid barberry (Berberis × media) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €7.

Illustration of Hybrid barberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A dense, rounded, thorny barberry with small glossy leaves that mostly stay on the bush in a mild winter and turn bright red and bronze in autumn. 'Red Jewel' is maroon to red-brown all year (it only colours well in sun), 'Parkjuweel' is glossy dark green. It suits a low clipped or informal defensive hedge and edging and takes pruning well, but wear gloves because of the thorns and keep it away from paths and play areas.

Watch out for

In hard frost it drops part or all of its leaves, so in Central Europe count on it as semi-evergreen rather than evergreen; sources disagree on how hardy it is. Powdery mildew can attack it, and aphids and berberis sawfly may occur. Water it in summer heat and long dry spells. Litter caught among the thorns is awkward to clear out. One parent is Japanese barberry, which spreads from bird-sown seed on another continent; we found no record of this hybrid escaping, and it is not on the EU, Hungarian or Slovak invasive lists.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.3 m × 1.4 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, yellow

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.3 m × 1.4 m
Ultimate size	1–1.8 m × 1–2 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Semi-evergreen
Flowering	April–June, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €7

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €7

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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