Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is a compact, thorny deciduous shrub (2-6 ft) prized for spring yellow flowers, colorful red-to-purple foliage on many cultivars and persistent red berries that attract birds; it tolerates a wide range of soils, sun to part shade and is hardy in USDA zones 4-8, making it an easy, low-maintenance hedge or specimen for Willamette Valley gardens. Note: Japanese barberry is considered invasive in parts of the U.S., including the Pacific Northwest—check local regulations and consider noninvasive alternatives before planting, and avoid planting where berries can spread into wildlands.
