Deciduous & Flowering Shrubs
Orange Rocket barberry
Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket'
Berberis 'Orange Rocket' grows as a narrow, upright deciduous shrub with rust-orange new foliage that becomes greener in summer and red in fall. Its columnar shape suits a border, hedge, barrier, or container where a vertical form is useful. At ten years, it may be about four to five feet tall and roughly one to three feet wide; allow space around the spiny stems without assuming that is its final size. Plant in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, avoiding spots that remain wet after rain. The changing foliage provides seasonal interest throughout the growing year.
Ask about this plantAt a glance
- Mature height
- About 4–5 ft at ten years
- Mature spread
- About 1–3 ft at ten years
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–9
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Its narrow, upright form can add height to a border or serve in a hedge, barrier, or container. Allow for a wider plant than the youngest examples suggest.
Where to plant
Choose full sun to partial shade and leave clearance around the spiny stems. A path edge needs particular care as the shrub grows.
Through the seasons
New foliage opens rust orange, becomes greener in summer, and turns red in fall. The shrub loses its leaves for winter.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
In Southwest Washington, pay attention to places where rain leaves the soil wet. A better-drained location is the sounder choice.
Soil, drainage & water
Plant in well-drained soil. Avoid low or persistently wet spots.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Check whether rain leaves the planting area persistently wet. Give the upright stems room as the shrub grows.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Wet planting site
Water stands around the plant after rain.
Help your plant thrive
Choose well-drained soil and avoid sites that stay wet.
Spiny stems near paths
Spiny stems extend into a walkway.
Help your plant thrive
Leave space between the shrub and paths where people might brush against it.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
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Baileyi red-twig dogwood
Cornus sericea 'Baileyi'
Red winter stems, spring flowers, and pale berries give Baileyi seasonal interest; this vigorous dogwood needs moist-site space and renewal pruning for its brightest color.
Explore this plantPrairie Fire dogwood
Cornus alba 'Prairie Fire'
Colorful foliage and red winter stems make Prairie Fire a bold ornamental dogwood; allow space for its vigorous growth, suckers, and periodic renewal pruning.
Explore this plant
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Pacific ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Pacific ninebark combines white flowers, reddish fruit clusters, and peeling bark in a large informal shrub suited to moist, spacious, regionally inspired planting.
Explore this plantGood gardens start with a conversation
Let’s find the right plant
for your place.
Ask our team about plant selection and current availability.