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Is Japanese barberry illegal in Wisconsin?
Sources (3)
Also called: Berberis thunbergii. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Japanese barberry is not listed.
What Wisconsin's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted invasive plant (NR 40) — no transport, transfer (including sale) or introduction without a permit | Berberis thunbergii | Japanese barberry (listed 5/1/2015) — only the parent type, var. atropurpurea, the B. thunbergii x koreana hybrid and specific named cultivars (e.g. Rose Glow, Crimson Velvet, Golden Carousel) are restricted; other cultivars are not | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- only the parent type, var. atropurpurea, the B. thunbergii x koreana hybrid and specific named cultivars (e.g. Rose Glow, Crimson Velvet, Golden Carousel) are restricted; other cultivars are not (from the official list entry)
Already have it in your yard?
Most state invasive-plant laws, including the list wording above, target selling, distributing, propagating or planting. They generally do not order you to remove a plant already in your yard, but some noxious-weed laws do require control. Read the linked law or ask your county Extension office.
Native alternatives for Wisconsin
- Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
- New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- Shrubby St. John's-wort (Hypericum prolificum)
Each is recorded as native to Wisconsin in the USDA NRCS PLANTS Database state distribution (retrieved 2026-10-14). Check size, sun and soil fit for your site with your local Extension office.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Japanese barberry in other states
Connecticut Delaware Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Vermont Virginia West Virginia
See every plant on Wisconsin's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.