Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Red Pillar' is an ornamental barberry valued for its deep purple foliage and columnar habit.

Characteristics
A deciduous shrub with an upright, columnar habit reaching about 1.5-2 m in height and only 0.5-1 m in width, its thorny stems growing straight up to form a slender, elegant shape. The small oval leaves emerge bright red in spring, turn dark purple in summer and take on red-orange tones in autumn. Small yellow cup shaped flowers in spring are followed by red berries that persist into winter.

Growing and care
Full sun for the best colour, in any well drained soil; very hardy, drought tolerant and easy. Little pruning is needed: the narrow shape is natural, so simply remove damaged stems in late winter.

Uses
Excellent as a vertical accent in borders, in narrow spaces, as a low thorny screen, in rhythmic repeated groups along paths and in containers.