Barberry Red Rocket
Berberis thunbergii 'Red Rocket'
This columnar barberry brings intense red foliage and a unique upright form to landscapes where space is at a premium. Unlike spreading barberry varieties, Red Rocket grows tall and narrow, making it perfect for tight spaces, foundation plantings, or creating living pillars in the garden. The thorny branches provide excellent security while the fiery red leaves hold their color all season long.
Harvest
Not applicabled
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
3-6 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Barberry Red Rocket in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shrub →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Barberry Red Rocket · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Very Dry. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet, 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Admiration', 'Atropurpurea', 'Aurea', 'Concorde', 'Crimson Pygmy', 'Fireball', 'Golden Ring', 'Gold Pillar', 'Orange Rocket', 'Rose Glow', 'Royal Burgundy™', WorryFree® Series. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
This plant has 0.3"-1", bright, ellipsoidal and glossy red berries in the fall, persisting into winter
Color: Red/Burgundy. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Long-lasting, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Winter
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Asia (Japan)
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Erosion, Heat, Salt, Urban Conditions
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds eat the berries.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels deer and rabbits that may browse barberry, shares similar drought tolerance
Ornamental Grasses
Complement the architectural form, provide textural contrast, similar low maintenance needs
Sedum
Thrives in similar well-drained conditions, provides groundcover beneath shrub
Russian Sage
Matches drought tolerance and full sun requirements, creates nice color contrast
Juniper
Similar hardiness and drought tolerance, provides evergreen structure year-round
Black-eyed Susan
Tolerates same growing conditions, bright flowers complement red foliage
Catmint
Deters pests, thrives in similar dry conditions, purple flowers enhance red foliage
Spirea
Similar growth requirements and pruning needs, complementary flowering periods
Keep Apart
Hostas
Requires moist, shaded conditions that conflict with barberry's sun and drainage needs
Azaleas
Needs acidic, moist soil and partial shade, opposite of barberry's alkaline, dry preferences
Impatiens
Requires consistent moisture and shade, will struggle in barberry's preferred dry, sunny location
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease and pest resistance
Common Pests
Very few pest problems, occasionally aphids
Diseases
Highly resistant to diseases, occasional leaf spot