Berberis fendleri, commonly known as Fendler’s Barberry or Colorado Barberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the rocky mountain slopes, canyonlands, and open woodlands of the American Southwest, specifically in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It typically grows to a height of up to 7 feet and features simple, deciduous leaves that are up to 2 inches long. In spring, it produces showy racemes of up to 15 small, yellow flowers, which are followed by red, juicy, oblong fruits that persist into the fall and are attractive to birds and wildlife.

Fendler’s Barberry is valued for its drought tolerance and its ability to thrive in rocky, well-drained soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings in arid regions. It is also used for erosion control on slopes and can be planted as an informal hedge or barrier due to its spiny branches. In cultivation, it requires minimal maintenance once established, tolerating full sun to part shade and preferring dry to medium moisture levels. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to rust diseases and should be monitored for signs of infection.CC BY-SA 4.0