Berberis calliantha

SE Tibet. Discovered by the noted explorer Kingdon-Ward in 1924, Berberis calliantha is a low shrub that has small, glossy, holly-like leaves that are conspicuously powdery blue underneath. The foliage is complemented by attractive red purple stems.
Occasional thorns are concealed on the underside of the stems. Although the literature says this stays about 3 feet tall, our old specimen is now 5 feet.