Calafate
Berberis microphylla · Berberidaceae
📷 Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around calafate and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, small and bright green
- Flowering
- April to May, golden yellow flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 m in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy to approximately -15 °C
- Origin
- Chile
- Soil type
- Well-drained, tolerates poor soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Berberis microphylla is low-maintenance; prune lightly after flowering and remove only dead or crossing wood.
The common mistake
Not pruning at all: it fills out poorly, becomes sparse and loose, loses its ornamental appeal after 5-6 years.
The pro's trick
In May, after flowering, take young shoots: propagate them in a mini-greenhouse.
Care
Sunlight
Position your boxleaf barberry in full sun for optimal growth and generous flowering. It tolerates light partial shade, but will prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Good light also intensifies foliage color and improves the density of the shrub.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish roots well. Once established, barberry is drought-tolerant and only needs watering during prolonged dry periods or extreme heat. Avoid excess water which could promote root rot.
Soil
This species adapts to most well-drained soils, from chalky to slightly acidic. It tolerates poor soil and isn't affected by compaction. Adding compost at planting time improves initial conditions, but further enrichment is generally unnecessary.
Pruning and cutting
Light pruning after flowering (May-June) is sufficient to maintain a compact, dense shape. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Be careful of sharp spines: wear robust gloves when pruning. A hedge trimmer can be used for mass plantings.
Fertilizer
The boxleaf barberry is undemanding. A balanced fertilizer application in spring is more than sufficient, or simply apply an annual mulch of compost. Avoid excessive nitrogen which would promote growth at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This species is generally very robust and rarely affected by disease. In excessively humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew (white powder on leaves). Pests are rare. Ensure good air circulation and well-drained soil to prevent any fungal problems.
Did you know?
The boxleaf barberry gets its common name from the fineness of its foliage, which resembles that of European boxwood. Native to coastal regions of Chile, this small spiny shrub fascinated European botanists in the 19th century with its remarkable drought resistance and virtually complete absence of natural enemies in cultivation.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Oregon grapeMahonia aquifolium
- Japanese barberryBerberis thunbergii
- Heavenly bambooNandina domestica
- Leatherleaf mahoniaMahonia bealei
- Darwin barberryBerberis darwinii
- Wintergreen barberryBerberis julianae
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.