Japanese barberry (Berberis ‘Tara’ EMERALD CAROUSEL)

Japanese barberry

Features and Characteristics

Berberis is a genus of about 450 species of evergreen or deciduous shrubs from all parts of the North Hemisphere as well as North and tropical Africa and South America.

Genus name comes from the Latinized form of the Arabian name for the fruit.

‘Tara’, commonly sold as EMERALD CAROUSEL, is a cross between B. thunbergii and B. koreana, exhibiting the broad, rounded habit of the former and excellent winter hardiness of the latter. A fast-growing, deciduous, multi-stemmed, rounded shrub which typically grows 3-5′ tall and as wide. Stems have sharp thorns. Features variably sized leaves (1/2″ to 2″ long) which emerge yellowish in spring, mature to dark green in summer and turn red in fall. Tiny, yellowish flowers appear from late April to early May in short racemes along the stems. Glossy, bright red berries form in the fall and often last into the winter well after leaf drop.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade, but needs full sun to develop best foliage color. Very adaptable shrub that is tolerant of many pollutants in urban areas. Tolerates drought, but will not perform well in poorly drained, wet soils.

Japanese barberry (Berberis ‘Tara’ EMERALD CAROUSEL) Requirements

Hardiness zone	4 - 7
Sun light	Full sun
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Like most barberries, this plant tends to trap wind-blown litter.

Uses

Informal hedge, barrier plant, foundation plant, shrub border.

Japanese barberry (Berberis ‘Tara’ EMERALD CAROUSEL) Details

Common name	Japanese barberry
Botanical name	Berberis 'Tara' EMERALD CAROUSEL
Plant type	Deciduous shrub
Family	Berberidaceae
Hardiness zone	4 - 7
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Yellow
Flowering period	April - May
Height	3 - 5 ft.
Width	3 - 5 ft.