Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Koren'

$25³¹

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Fall Color/Interest, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Hedge/Screen, and Non-invasive

Specifications

Botanical Name

Berberis thunbergii 'Koren'
Height

2-3 ft
Width

2-3 ft
Growing Zones

4-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Yellow
Leaf Color
- Yellow
- Green
- Orange
Fall Color

Golden Yellow
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring
Fragrant

Yes

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this barberry in full sun to achieve the brightest, most vibrant yellow-green foliage. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; while it can tolerate partial shade, the leaf color may turn more lime-green and the shrub won't be as dense.
Soil: This shrub thrives in well-drained soil and isn't overly fussy about pH, though it struggles in soggy, waterlogged ground. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with compost or plant in a raised bed to ensure the roots don't sit in water, which can cause rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply once or twice a week to help the root system establish, checking that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. Once established, Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry is quite drought-tolerant, but occasional watering during hot, dry spells keeps the foliage looking fresh and prevents leaf scorch.

Pruning Tips

This variety blooms on old wood, but since it is grown primarily for its foliage, pruning can be done in early spring before new growth emerges to shape the plant or remove dead wood. It naturally maintains a tidy, rounded habit, so heavy pruning is rarely needed; think of it like a light trim rather than a full haircut to keep it neat.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins to appear. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this pushes soft new growth that won't harden off in time for winter frosts.

Growing Zones 4-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Sunny foliage and lasting color! Sometimes the best color display for your yard isn't in the flowers but in the leaves! Introducing the Proven Winners® Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry Bush PP#24,818 (Berberis thunbergii 'Koren') is a prime example of how you can bring brilliant, long-lasting color to your home this year, even without the benefit of flowers!

Sunjoy® Citrus is a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® shrub and an improvement upon the Golden Barberry, Sunjoy® Citrus adds even more vibrant foliage color and does so on a hardy, easy-to-care-for shrub.

It's a hardy little shrub with small leaves that pack a big punch! The chartreuse foliage is a bright stand-out in any setting, providing a sunny burst of color from spring through fall. You won't notice, but the bees and butterflies will see the spring buffet!

Your Sunjoy® Citrus is a deciduous shrub with a naturally compact, rounded habit, but is amenable to pruning if you need your 2-3 foot tall and wide shrub smaller or lower to best suit your landscaping needs!

Planting and Application:

Bold bright color that won't fade or burn in the sun, the juicy Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry is heat and drought-tolerant as well as being at ease in urban environments! Plant several for a low hedge, or just one specimen planting to brighten up a boring corner of your yard!

Deer leave it alone, but wildlife will enjoy it for the dense cover it provides! Set up a hummingbird feeder and a birdbath and enjoy! That means long hedges or groupings not only shelter wildlife but significantly boost the color palate of your landscape! You can even use these vibrant shrubs in large planters and containers!

Sunjoy® Citrus is a good size for use below windows or as your entire foundation hedge, the thorns are sure to deter anyone trying to gain access to first-story windows. Direct foot traffic where you want it with a hedge of these bright barrier shrubs, or create a low privacy barrier that few will want to tangle with around the pool, seating areas, or dividing your front yard from the street!

Compact and hardy, with a standout color that sets the stage for coordinating partner plants, the Barberry is a perfect choice. It easily stands up to pollution! We recommend using an odd number of plants and installing them in a gentle curve or zig-zag for the best effect. Try spacing Sunjoy® Citrus one to two feet apart on center for a solid fill or loosen the spacing however you'd like to create a visual barrier.

Citrusy Yellow-Green Foliage
Fine-Textured Compact Shrub
Reddish Stems & Brilliant Chartreuse Fall Color
Tiny Yellow Flowers For Bees & Berries For Birds
Bright Hedges, Foundations, Backdrops, Barriers, Large Planters & Specimens!

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Barberry bushes have the best color in full sun and are tolerant of many types of well-drained soil. Plant with Nature Hills Root Booster in a slightly acidic location. Provide regular water for new plants using the Finger Test, but once established, Barberry is actually quite drought-tolerant! Provide a nice 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to protect the top of the roots. You can let it grow freely but it doesn't matter if you trim it to maintain the shape and size you prefer, just prune or shear after flowering.

Unfortunately, the birds adore the berries and do spread the seeds around and in some locations of the country, Barberry does a bit "too well". Find out if you can safely grow these delightfully colorful shrubs in your community. Type in your zip code in our Hardiness Zone Finder, located above the Plant Highlights to find out, or contact your local County Extension Office.

Won't Burn In Full Sun
Moderate Moisture & Acidic Well-Drained Soil
Drought Tolerant Once Established
Nearly No-Maintenance - Prune After Flowering If Needed
Heat, Deer & Disease Resistant

Plant a few of these remarkable shrubs this year and you'll add a one-of-a-kind splash of joyous sunshine to your home landscape. Hurry and order your own Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry Bush from NatureHills.com!

Order without worry when you buy from NatureHills.com! We follow all federal and state regulations to the letter. In fact, we've invested in the Green Industry's premier regulation software, Plant Sentry™. That system blocks the shipment of all invasive pests and plant material from entering your state.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Sunjoy® Citrus Barberry

Berberis thunbergii 'Koren'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications