Scientific Name: Berberis microphylla ( syn. B. buxifolia )
Common Name: box leaf barberry, dwarf Magellan barberry
Family Name: Berberidaceae
Origin: Garden origin, South America
Hardiness Zone: Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen, Semi-evergreen
Mature Size: 0.4 - 0.7m x 0.6 - 1.0m (height x width)
Habit: Arching, Dense
Form: Mounded, Round
Texture: Medium - fine
Landscape Uses: Alpine, Filler, Group or mass planting, Hedge row, Rock garden, Security/barrier, Sheared hedge, Winter interest
Exposure: Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil or Media: Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Leaves: Simple, Alternate, Leathery, Prickly, Pinnate venation, Glabrous, Lustrous, Ovate, Entire
Flowers: Flowers paired, Yellow, Apr-May
Fruit: Berry (true), Edible, Violet, Dark-red, Jun-Jul
Key ID Features:
Shrub dense, mounding, evergreen; three pointed spine at nodes; leaves alternate, obovate, most blades 1-3cm long x 0.4-1.2cm wide, dark green, single 0.5mm spine at tip; flowers 1-1.5cm wide, 6 yellow sepals, petals, and stamens, April-May. Winter ID: three-point spiny stipule up to 12mm wide; each node can have several round leaf scars and ovoid buds.