Admiration Barberry
Admiration Barberry
An Award-Winning Dwarf with a Gold Rim
Admiration Barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration') has earned its name and its awards, pairing glowing red-orange foliage with a crisp, bright golden-yellow margin on every leaf. The tidy, dome-shaped dwarf habit needs no pruning and looks polished at the front of any bed. Thorny, deer-resistant, and drought-tough, it's a standout little color accent for compact Chanhassen, Roseville, and Bloomington gardens.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Berberis thunbergii 'Admiration' |
| Mature Size | 1–2 ft tall and wide (dwarf) |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 4–9 (hardy across most of Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun (best color); tolerates part sun |
| Foliage | Red-orange centers with bright gold margins |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates poor, dry soils |
| Special Traits | Deer resistant, drought tolerant, dwarf, award winner |
Landscape Uses
Admiration shines at the front of borders, as edging, in rock gardens, and in containers, where its bold red-and-gold leaves draw the eye. Its small, neat size means little maintenance, and the thorny stems keep deer away.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help the roots establish.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems. Full sun brings out the brightest color.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 1–2 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water only during extended dry spells. It's very drought tolerant once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line offers efficient, low-water moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Admiration get?
It's a true dwarf, maturing at just 1–2 feet tall and wide.
Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, it's hardy to Zone 4 and grows well across most of the state.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, the thorny stems make it reliably deer resistant.
Does it need full sun?
Full sun delivers the most vivid red-and-gold color; shade mutes it.
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Combine Admiration with taller barberries and our other compact, deer-resistant shrubs for a colorful, low-maintenance edge.
How Many Admiration Barberry Do I Need?
As a true 1–2 ft dwarf, Admiration works best as edging or in small groups. For a continuous low edge along a walk or bed front, space plants 18 inches on center:
| Edge Length | Plants Needed (18 in spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 |
| 10 ft | 7 |
| 15 ft | 10 |
| 20 ft | 13–14 |
For accent use, plant a single dome among perennials or a group of 3 spaced 2 feet apart.
Admiration Barberry Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: New leaves unfurl glowing red-orange, each rimmed in gold; tiny yellow flowers tuck under the foliage in May.
- Summer: The two-tone show holds all season — vivid red-orange centers and crisp golden margins, brightest in full sun.
- Fall: Foliage deepens to fiery scarlet and crimson before dropping — one of the best small-shrub fall displays.
- Winter: A tidy, thorny twiggy dome that holds its shape under snow with zero dieback in zone 4.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Orange Rocket Barberry — a narrow upright barberry exclamation point behind Admiration's low dome.
- Concorde Barberry — deep violet-purple foliage for a rich color contrast at the same compact scale.
- Golden Nugget Barberry — a tiny all-gold mound that picks up Admiration's leaf margins.
- Goldfinger Potentilla — bright yellow summer flowers on an equally tough, deer-proof companion.
Is Admiration Barberry Right for Your Yard?
Choose Admiration for a sunny, well-drained front-of-border spot where deer pressure is high and you want season-long color with no pruning — it shrugs off drought, poor soil, and boulevard heat. Not a fit for shade (the red-and-gold color goes muddy green) or for beds where children play barefoot — the stems are genuinely thorny.