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Plant Encyclopedia
shrub

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak'

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Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak') at The Green Spot Home & Garden

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry foliage

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak') at The Green Spot Home & Garden

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Royal Cloak') at The Green Spot Home & Garden

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry flowers

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  5 feet

Spread:  5 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

A showy, fast growing variety with extra large burgundy, velvety foliage on a fountain like form; a great backdrop to brightly colored plants; effective as a hedge or barrier

Ornamental Features

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry has attractive burgundy deciduous foliage on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The large oval leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding red in the fall. It features tiny clusters of yellow flowers hanging below the branches in mid spring.

Landscape Attributes

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

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

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Royal Cloak Japanese Barberry will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. 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.

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
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Fall Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features

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