[citation needed] Many deciduous species, such as Berberis thunbergii and B. vulgaris, are noted for their attractive pink or red autumn colour.

In some evergreen species from China, such as B. candidula and B. verruculosa, the undersides of the leaves are brilliant white, a feature valued horticulturally.

[citation needed] Some authors regard the compound-leaved species as belonging to a different genus, Mahonia.

The North American B. canadensis, native to Appalachia and the Midwest United States, was nearly eradicated for this reason, and is now rarely seen extant, with the most remaining occurrences in the Virginia mountains.

[citation needed] Some Berberis species have become invasive when planted outside of their native ranges, including B. glaucocarpa and B. darwinii in New Zealand (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), and B. vulgaris and green-leaved B. thunbergii in much of the eastern United States.

[14] Several species of Berberis are popular garden shrubs, grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries.

Taller-growing species are valued for crime prevention; being dense and viciously spiny, they are effective barriers to burglars.

Species in cultivation include: The following hybrid selections have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: Berberis vulgaris grows in the wild in much of Europe and West Asia.

The berries are common in Persian cuisine in dishes such as pilaf (zereshk polo) and as a flavouring for poultry.

[citation needed] Berberis microphylla and B. darwinii (both known as calafate and michay) are two species found in Patagonia in Argentina and Chile.

[23] The thorns of the barberry shrub have been used to clean ancient gold coins, as they are soft enough that they will not damage the surface but will remove corrosion and debris.