'Nana' is a dwarf cultivar of the box-leaved barberry that is native to South America. It is an evergreen low growing thorny shrub in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) and is typically found in nature on coastal scrub, forest margins, clearings and moister areas in grass. The dwarf 'Nana' is the most common variety of this species and can be severely pruned back, resprouting from its base. Plant in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It is drought-tolerant and slow-growing with a rounded form. s. It grows only up to 1 to 2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide. The bright yellow flowers occur in spring on short racemes. The spine-tipped leaves have reddish new growth that turns glossy green. It is best planted in small groups in shade or woodland gardens. It also does well as a specimen or in foundation or shrub borders. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Leaf spots, rust, and leaf scorch from sun/wind. Chlorosis on high pH soils; leaves can look burned but stems will regrow leaves next spring. Watch for aphids, scale and whiteflies. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Berberis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate and simple. Leaves have spine-tipped teeth, bases sometimes overlap, they are rigid and olive-green in color. New leaves red-tinted turn glossy dark green.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
Flowers are bright yellow and are mildly fragrant. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Stem detail
Stems with spines
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Southern Chile and Argentina
Attracts
Bees
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.