Japanese Barberry can easily be sheared to be used as a hedge plant and it is useful for barrier plantings too since it is thorny! It tolerates most light exposures and soils but purple-leaved varieties will turn green in the shade. Persistent red fruits form in fall along with the red, orange and yellow foliage color. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people. This plant is thorny!