BailElla First Editions® Lambrusco™ Spreading Red Barberry

Lambrusco™ is the First Editions® trade name for Berberis thunbergii ‘BailElla’, a low, spreading barberry with densely arranged leaves. The foliage emerges red and deepens to burgundy through the growing season. Bailey Nurseries introduced the cultivar, which is described by [Arbor Valley Nursery](https://www.arborvalleynursery.com/plants/lambrusco-tm-barberry) and [Sooner Plant Farm](https://www.soonerplantfarm.com/plant/barberry-lambrusco) as a compact groundcover-style shrub. ## Landscape Use Use it along a path, at the front of a shrub border, or in a mass planting where its spreading shape can cover ground. Its thorny stems mean it should be kept away from narrow walkways and areas where people or pets brush through. ## Seasonal Interest The red foliage darkens toward burgundy as the season progresses. The available cultivar profiles emphasize foliage and form rather than showy flowers, so flowering detail is left understated. ## Mature Size Arbor Valley and Sooner Plant Farm list a height of 2–3 feet and a spread of 3–5 feet. Existing metric size values remain plausible within those broad published ranges. ## Siting and Soil Choose full sun and well-drained soil. Bailey’s catalog description recommends full sun; the trade profiles list hardiness around zone 4, with Sooner giving zones 4–7. The catalog maximum is set to 7 from that cultivar-specific range. ## Maintenance Water during establishment and extended dry spells. Arbor Valley describes established plants as drought tolerant and deer resistant. The spreading habit needs enough room to fill its allotted area; prune only if the shrub crosses its intended boundary.