Berberis thun. ‘ruby star’

Like a constellation of rubies scattered across the Irish garden, Berberis thunbergii ‘Ruby Star’ brings celestial beauty and intense colour to borders and landscapes throughout the seasons. This stunning deciduous shrub creates a dazzling display of deep ruby-red foliage touched with coral and pink highlights that seem to shimmer and dance in Ireland’s ever-changing light, earning its stellar name through sheer brilliance.

Standing proud with its neat, rounded habit, this exceptional barberry produces some of the most vibrant and varied foliage colours in the shrub world. The small, oval leaves emerge in spring as deep ruby-red with distinctive pink and coral variegation, maintaining their jewel-like intensity throughout the growing season before transforming into brilliant shades of orange, scarlet, and crimson as autumn arrives. In late spring, tiny yellow flowers with reddish tinges appear amongst the thorny branches, followed by small bright red berries that extend the seasonal interest well into winter.

Named ‘Ruby Star’ for its exceptional ruby-red colouration and star-like performance in the garden, this hardy cultivar has proven itself exceptionally reliable in Irish conditions, tolerating coastal winds, urban pollution, and our unpredictable weather with remarkable resilience. Its compact size and spectacular colour makes it perfect for mixed borders, specimen planting, and container displays where its stellar performance can be fully appreciated.

Magnificent when planted as a focal point in mixed borders or grouped for dramatic colour impact in contemporary landscapes. Pairs beautifully with silver-leaved plants like santolina and artemisia, cream and white flowering perennials such as astilbe and Japanese anemone, and evergreen companions like box and pittosporum, creating sophisticated colour harmonies that celebrate both contrast and elegance in the Irish garden.

Planting: Plant from autumn to early spring, spacing 1-1.5m apart for individual specimens or closer for informal hedging. Choose a position in full sun for the most intense foliage colour and variegation, though tolerates partial shade. Excellent for front to middle border positions where the stunning foliage can be appreciated up close.

Soil Requirements: Thrives in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Tolerates clay, loam, sandy soils, and even poor, dry conditions once established. Avoid waterlogged sites but otherwise very adaptable to most Irish soil conditions including coastal areas.

Container Growing: Excellent for large containers on patios and terraces where the spectacular foliage can be showcased. Use a soil-based compost with added grit for drainage. Water regularly during growing season and feed with balanced fertiliser in early spring to maintain vigorous growth and intense colour.

Watering & Feeding: Water regularly during first growing season to establish deep roots. Once established, very drought tolerant and requires minimal watering except during prolonged dry spells. Apply balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring to enhance foliage colour and overall vigour.

Pruning & Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning – simply remove any damaged or wayward branches in late spring after flowering. Can be pruned harder if renovation is needed, responding well to cutting back. Wear gloves when pruning due to sharp thorns. Light annual pruning maintains compact shape and encourages fresh, colourful growth.

Propagation: Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, ensuring to select shoots with the best colour variegation. This stellar beauty provides year-round structure and some of the most spectacular and varied foliage colour available for Irish gardens, truly earning its place as a garden star!