What is this purplish shrub with pricklies on the branches?

I was out in the yard weeding and noticed that this large, purplish shrub next to the house was looking a little overgrown. I'll try to describe it so hopefully somebody can identify it:



It's about 7-8 feet tall, with branches containing clusters of dark, small oval leaves which are about half an inch to an inch long. Much of the bush is just a dark, greenish color, but toward the top and outside branches it's a sort of pretty muted wine-purple. I thought it was a pretty shrub, but when I went to trim it, OUCH! It has pricklies all up and down the branches. I live in Michigan, so it's something that would grow there, if that helps.



Anybody know what this is? And should I consider getting rid of it; is this an undesirable-type plant? It seems a ***** to deal with and after trying to trim it I'm not sure I like it that much...

What is this purplish shrub with pricklies on the branches?
That's easy. Nothing else looks like a barberry!



It's really a lovely shrub with a great accent color. Suggestion: don't shear it into a mound. You will ruin its natural structure. It sounds like it's a bit overgrown, so here's what you do:

Wearing your long sleeves and leather gloves, follow the tallest branches down as far as you can and snip them at their base. This will reduce the overall height and spread without destroying the natural shape. Don't take more than a third of the shrub this year. Next year you can do the same again, until you have made it into a respectable specimen. Any part of it that is in full sun will retain the purple color; shaded leaves will be green.



Happy landscaping! BTW, the birds like it too!
Reply:i have those in my yard, they line the side of my house. i planted them five years ago but i cant remember the name of them...sorry. yes, they are very pretty, but the thorns are terrible, i have to be very careful when i trim them.
Reply:I agree, it must be barberry. You didn't say if the leaves drop off in winter. Barberrys do that, they are decididous. I love plants of that color (Martha Stewart is a fan of that color range as well, so I've read) but the thorns AND that color are pretty much unique to barberry. Whether to keep it or not depends on your appreciation for that leaf color, just as people keep roses despite some that are verrrry thorny. I would trim it in winter when the thorns are more visible, with loppers and wearing big gloves and the right clothes. Now that it's come to your attention so much, how about trimming it and leaving it 1 more year, so you can observe more about it and see how others may have them in their yards.

Gumps