'Orange Flame' is a compact cultivar in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). Its parent is native to the western United States. This plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and needs a partly shaded environment. Plant it in moist, well-drained, acidic, organically rich soils with protection from the wind and full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established. The branches grow in a tiering habit and the shrub will sucker to form colonies. It has copper-orange new leaves and dark green glossy mature leaves. Bright lemon-yellow flowers appear in the early spring in clusters and are mildly fragrant. The round purple berries appear in summer to fall in grape-like clusters. It does well as a specimen, in foundation or shrub borders. It is best planted in small groups in partly shaded or woodland gardens. 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 aquifolium .
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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Orange
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate and odd pinnately compound. Leaflets (5-13) are sessile and coriaceous. Terminal leaflets are larger than laterals. Leaflets have spine-tipped teeth (up to 12 teeth per side), bases sometimes overlap, they are rigid and olive-green in color. Petiole encircles stem. New leaves red-tinted turn glossy dark green.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are bright yellow and weakly foetid. They are 2.5" in size and are mildly fragrant. Inflorescence is in short, crowded terminal racemes.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Deep dusty blue/black edible globose berries in clusters give excellent fall interest. They are less than an inch in size. Plant more than one shrub for best fruit production.
Bark detail
gray-brown color, not of ornamental importance
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Stems are roundish, stout, and become gray-brown as they mature.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Northern California
Distribution
Northern North America
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to fruit.
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children. Eat in moderation.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Woodland
Landscape theme
Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Security; Small groups
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Armored Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants; Whiteflies Found on Flowers and Foliage; Twobanded Japanese Weevil; Indian Wax Scale Insect; Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Children; Spines/Thorns
Resistant to
Deer; Heavy Shade
Propagation
Division; Root Cutting; Seed
Fire risk
low flammability
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Bark; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Ingestion of the toxic parts can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.