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Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea Crimson Pigmy (syn. B.t. Crimson Pigmy)
Berberidaceae
Crimson Pigmy Japanese Barberry
BER-ber-is thun-BER-jee-a at-ro-pur-PEWR-ree-a
- Deciduous shrub, dwarf, 2 ft (0.6 m) tall and 3 ft (0.9 m) wide, very dense, foliage is reddish or purplish in summer and red in fall.
- Full sun needed to develop color.
- Hardy to USDA Zone 4 Originated in Holland as a chance seedling and introduced in 1942. Apparently originally named Atropurpurea Nana. In addition to being sold as Crimson Pigmy, its also has been offered as Crimson Beauty, Little Beauty , Little Favourite, and Little Gem.
- Oregon State Univ. campus: several in the parking lot south of Crop Science, notice the poorer color (less red) of those shaded by the Raywood Ash along 30th St.