How long has it been in the same container? How big, exactly is the container in terms of depth and width, and how big is the berberis? Posting a photo or two might be easier...

Most Berberis are more suitable to planting in the ground,T.bear..I should imagine it has outgrown it's pot..maybe dried out at some point ?

Sorry, Bamboo, can't manage photos but it's about a foot tall and slightly less wide. Container is about same diameter but perhaps a little deeper.
Bloomer, I think it may have dried out a bit so maybe that's it.
Thanks for replies.

Are we talking Berberis darwinii, dont give up on it, personally i have always found them better suited in the ground, so possibly try that, give it a good water and a light trim even if it means loseing some flowers, and next year and thereafter it will reward you, clip in future after flowering if required.

I think it's that one, Julien and now am thinking I should try to get it in the ground, but my garden's so full! May have to move it to Mum's. How are you - not 'seen' you in a while?

Very well thanks, apart from gardening for my clients i have been spending more time down the allotments, i have two large plots one is a cottage garden filled with perennials and the other is a topiary garden, i reckon in a years time it may be complete, its a garden of peace and tranquility a walled garden of clipped hawthorn with columns of leylandii, and balls of lonicera baggessons gold and hawthorn but in the middle i have created a ruined church of hawthorn a little work still needed on it though, will post pictures and a blog later in the year, anyhow take care and happy gardening.

That all sounds wonderful - will look forward to blogs and pictures in time.