WSU Clark County Extension
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William Penn Barberry

Scientific name: Berberis gladwynensis William Penn
Taxonomy
Family:Bereridaceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:4 ft
Width:6 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:April
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description In the landscape trade William Penn barberry is often grouped together in low growing hedges to direct foot traffic as this plant has 3/8” long sharp thorns.

  Morphology:
This barberry variant grows to a height of 4’ but can spread to a width of 6’. Growing in mounding shape it bears gracefully arching branches bearing simple alternate leaves which are approximately 1” long and ½” wide. The dark green leaves have spines along their margins. In the fall the leaves turn a bronze-red color.

In the spring globe shaped yellow flowers appear, forming in the clusters at the base of the leaves. In August these flowers give rise to tubular red fruit which songbirds enjoy.

3-pronged spines appear all along the stems of this cultivar.

  Adaptation:
Highly adapted to most site and soil conditions. Can be arranged in a hedge and sheared if desired. Once established this cultivar is considered drought tolerant.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234