shrub

Golden Nugget Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Nugget'

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Golden Nugget  Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Nugget') at Millcreek Nursery Ltd

Golden Nugget Barberry foliage

Golden Nugget Barberry foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Golden Nugget  Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Golden Nugget') at Millcreek Nursery Ltd

Golden Nugget Barberry

Golden Nugget Barberry

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  12 inches

Spread:  18 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

Dwarf, compact habit of growth with tiny golden leaves that retain their colour all season long, often with a hint of orange; slow tidy grower; an exceptional colour shrub for the mixed border, can even be used as edging; needs a sheltered location

Ornamental Features

Golden Nugget Barberry has attractive yellow deciduous foliage which emerges orange in spring on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The small oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding orange in the fall. It features tiny clusters of yellow flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring. The fruits are showy scarlet drupes displayed from early to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Nugget Barberry is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spiny

Golden Nugget Barberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Golden Nugget Barberry will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Golden Nugget Barberry makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Groundcover  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features