Edited by David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation Naturalist
If you live in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic, you have definitely seen Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii). It is the maroon-colored shrub planted in seemingly every parking lot, shopping center, and suburban foundation planting from Maryland to Maine.
But in New Jersey, the reign of the Barberry is coming to an end.
New Jersey recently passed a landmark invasive species bill, and growers are being asked to phase out the sale of this popular but problematic shrub. While Japanese Barberry has been a landscaping staple for decades because it is tough and deer-resistant, it comes with a heavy ecological price tag.
Japanese Barberry refuses to stay within garden boundaries. It escapes into local woodlands and creates vast, thorny monocultures that dominate the forest floor. These dense mats aggressively outcompete native flora for space and nutrients, effectively replacing a diverse, healthy ecosystem with a single, invasive species that offers little value to local wildlife.
If the threat to local wildlife habitat wasn't compelling enough, Japanese Barberry also poses a direct danger to your family and pets: Ticks.
Studies have shown that the dense, humid microclimate inside a Japanese Barberry thicket is the perfect breeding ground for black-legged ticks (which carry Lyme disease). Removing Barberry isn’t just good for the ecosystem; it’s a public health upgrade for your family and pets.
Many gardeners worry that they won’t find a replacement with the same durability or color. The truth? Native shrubs offer even more beauty without the ecological baggage.
If you are looking to replace a Barberry (or just avoid planting one), here are a few native "hidden gems" that outperform the invasive competition:
If you love Barberry for its fall color, let us introduce you to Sweetspire.
This multi-stemmed, rounded shrub offers a graceful, arching form that looks far more natural and elegant than the stiff, thorny Barberry. But the real showstopper is the color. In the autumn, the foliage turns a brilliant, burning crimson-red that rivals any invasive shrub on the market.
Why it’s better:
The Flowers: Unlike Barberry, Sweetspire produces long, fragrant spikes of white flowers in late spring that pollinators adore.
The Fall Show: You get that deep red fall foliage you crave.
The Versatility: It thrives in sun or shade and tolerates wet soil beautifully.
If you love Barberry for its dense, bushy habit and hardiness, meet the Ninebark.
Named for its unique, peeling bark which provides stunning winter interest (exfoliating in "nine" layers), this shrub is a texture powerhouse. It creates a dense, bushy form that works perfectly as a screen or foundation planting.
Why it’s better:
The Blooms: In late spring, Ninebark is covered in clusters of white or pinkish flowers that provide nectar for native bees.
The Toughness: This is an incredibly durable shrub that can handle difficult sites, clay soil, and drought once established.
The Structure: It offers the same "fill the space" utility as Barberry, but supports the ecosystem instead of damaging it.
For our gardeners in the West and Midwest who need a shrub that is practically indestructible, meet Sourberry.
Also known as "Basketbush" and “Three-Leaf Sumac,” this shrub is the ultimate problem-solver for tricky spots. It thrives in poor, rocky soils and laughs at drought once established. While it mimics the dense, thicket-forming habit of Barberry (making it great for privacy or erosion control), it offers far more ecological value.
Why it’s better:
The Fall Color: You don't have to sacrifice the show; the leaves turn brilliant shades of amber, orange, and red in the autumn.
The "Lemonade" Berries: Female plants produce tart, fuzzy red berries that can be steeped to make a refreshing, lemonade-like drink (or left for the birds, who love them in winter).
The Durability: It is far tougher than Barberry in arid climates, making it a perfect sustainable choice for water-wise landscapes.
Why fill your garden with thorny, invasive bushes when you could have a plant that feeds you?
Most people know Highbush Blueberry for its delicious summer fruit, but it is one of the most underappreciated shrubs for fall interest. After the harvest is over, the leaves turn a shockingly bright crimson-red that rivals the burning bush or barberry.
Why it’s better:
The Snacks: You get fresh, organic blueberries right from your backyard.
The Keystone Status: Blueberries are an ecological "superfood," supporting hundreds of species of butterflies and moths whose caterpillars feed baby birds.
The Flowers: In spring, they are covered in adorable, bell-shaped white flowers that are a favorite of native bumblebees.
New Jersey is leading the way, but you don’t have to wait for a law to make a better choice for your landscape. Swap out the tick-harboring invasives for native shrubs that offer fragrant blooms, stunning fall color, and a safe haven for birds and butterflies.