Barberry is a powerful bush that greets you with thorns and various colors of berries. This shrub is actively used in landscape design due to the huge number of small, bright, original pear-shaped fruits.
In order to grow a barberry that will become your pride, you don’t have to be a professional gardener; you just need to know the rules for planting and caring for this plant.
Timing and choice of landing site
Barberry - effective decorative bush arnica with bright red, yellow or white fruits. The leaves of barberry are elliptical in shape and come in a variety of colors: green, red, yellow, purple. In spring, the plant pleases with yellow flowers collected in clusters. 
"Like festive fireworks, these bushes are growing. As soon as autumn comes, all colors play."- this is what poets say about barberry, but even such a description will not convey the beauty of this delightful shrub.
The fruits of barberry are aromatic and are widely used in medicine and cooking. They have a mild sour taste and are perfect for compotes, jelly, syrups and jam.
It is quite unpretentious in cultivation and resistant to cold. However, before planting, you need to remember that in the shade the decorative leaves of barberry lose their color. The more light there is, the brighter and more attractive the bush's foliage will be.
If you like lonely barberry, then it is better to plant it at a distance of 1.5-2 m from other plantings. It is impossible to grow a beautiful, well-proportioned bush in cramped conditions.
If you plan to grow barberry in the garden as a hedge, then the bush needs to be made more voluminous.
To create a dense fence, you need to plant 3-4 bushes per meter. For staggered placement, seedlings are placed 25 cm apart in a row. The distance between rows should be 45 cm. For a thinner hedge, the number of plants is reduced.
If barberry is grown for fruit, it simply needs light, so barberry should be planted sparingly, and the bush should also be thinned out regularly.
Important!Unripe barberry berries contain a high concentration of alkaloids and are very poisonous.
Medium acidic soils are suitable for barberry. But if the soil on your site is highly acidic (more than 7.0 pH), you can add slaked lime to the soil before and after planting.
Since stagnation of moisture can be detrimental to barberry, it should be planted at higher elevations and sand should be added to the soil for drainage.
Planting is carried out in the fall (mid-September - mid-October) or spring (third decade of March - mid-April). If the seedlings were in a container, they can be planted on a cloudy day in the summer, providing enough sunlight for the first few days.
Important! Barberry planted in the spring will grow actively, and autumn seedlings will have time to strengthen over the winter and will begin to actively develop in the spring.
Preparatory work on the site
In order for barberry to please with its healthy appearance, and care and cultivation does not cause trouble, you need clean before planting certain works in the selected area:
- get rid of weeds and roots of other plants;
- dig up the ground;
- fertilize the soil (taking into account its acidity and fertility).
Did you know? Barberry thorns are nothing more than transformed leaves.
Rules for planting young barberry seedlings
Before growing barberry in the country, you need to carry out a number of works:
Important! When planting, you need to ensure that the roots of the barberry do not come into contact with fertilizers - this can cause burns, and the seedlings will get sick or may die.
How to care for barberry on the site
Caring for barberry includes a few procedures: watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, cutting and protection from pests.
Watering, weeding and loosening the soil
Barberry is a plant that does not like excess moisture, so it is enough to water it once a week. Only young plants need abundant watering, and then only until they get stronger. There is no need to water the plant cold water right at the root, being careful not to wet the leaves.
In addition to watering, a mandatory procedure is regular weeding between the bushes, removing root shoots and loosening the soil around them. To make maintenance easier, it is recommended to mulch the soil with sawdust, peat or walnut shells.
Fertilizer application
Fertilizing when planting barberry will last the plant for a year. The next feeding is done next spring.
When choosing the best way to feed barberry, give preference to nitrogen fertilizers. 20-30 g of urea are diluted in a bucket of water and fertilized each bush.
It is enough to apply such fertilizing once every 3-4 years.
However, if barberry is grown for fruit, then after flowering and after the end of the season, the plant must be fertilized with a mixture of superphosphate (15 g) and potassium (10 g) for each bush. You can use ready-made fertilizers (Kemira Universal), which are applied in early July.
Barberry, which grows as a hedge, needs feeding most of all - it needs to be fertilized at least 2 times a year.
Important! Chemicals may adversely affect the characteristics of the fruit.
Proper pruning
Knowledge of how to properly prune barberry will allow you to have not only a beautiful, but also a healthy plant on your site.
Since barberry branches grow almost vertically, then the bush can be given any decorative shape(ball, pyramid and others). Barberry tolerates pruning painlessly before sap flow begins, so you need to form a bush in early spring, before the leaves bloom.
It should also be taken into account that at first the barberry shoots will grow in different directions, so it is not recommended to plant it in the middle of the site.
Since a bush has many trunks, the extra ones need to be cut into a ring.
In order to thin out and maintain plant sanitation, old, diseased, weak, dry and heavily thickened branches should be regularly pruned. In this case, old branches can be cut off either completely or partially to form new branches. Such anti-aging pruning should be carried out on plants older than 10 years.
Important! It is impossible to shorten barberry branches too much, since its flowers and fruits appear on annual shoots.
Wintering barberry
In the first 2-3 years, barberry is covered for the winter with peat, dry leaves, spruce branches or burlap. If the bush is voluminous, its branches are tied together with rope or twine, a cylinder is built around the plant and dry leaves are poured inside and covered on top.
Mature bushes tolerate frost well, so they do not need shelter.
If the winter was frosty and the branches were frozen, they should be pruned in early spring.
Selection of neighbors for barberry
Amazing compositions can be obtained by combining different shrubs. Barberry's neighbors can be any shrubs, flowers and even trees. Eg, dwarf varieties not only decorate lawns and flower beds, but also protect flowers from trampling. They can also be planted at the foot of large trees.
For many, the delicious word “barberry” immediately evokes memories of childhood and red candies melting in the mouth. But not many ordinary people know that it is also an excellent decoration for summer cottage. In addition, the bush produces tasty fruits, so it deserves to become inhabitants of your garden no less than currants or gooseberries. Planting and caring for it must be carried out taking into account certain rules.
Getting to know barberry
The saying that “everything new is well forgotten old” perfectly illustrates the situation with barberry. In Soviet times, it could be found in almost every dacha, but with the advent of landscape design “to the people”, it gave way to more interesting and non-standard plants. Now barberry is experiencing a new boom - landscape designers are actively using it in rockeries, hedges and other areas of the garden.
I can’t even believe that the progenitor of all this variety of shrubs is the ordinary barberry
The aroma of barberry is so soft and unobtrusive that you can safely plant it under the window, even if you like to open the windows often.
In the natural environment, barberry is most often found in the North Caucasus, but can grow both in the southern regions of the country and in middle lane Russian Federation (prefers forest-steppe). It is well adapted to poor soils and often settles on rocky river banks.
Wild barberry is not very decorative - its shoots are tall and rather thick, strewn with large thorns. The only decoration is yellow clusters of flowers in spring and bright red berries in summer. Varietal seedlings also retain thorns, but some have very short ones.
Individual barberry flowers are quite modest, but in a cluster they look great
You should never forget that thorny bushes and small children are incompatible. I had a negative experience with the rosary: as soon as I turned away from the kids (the children were 2 and 3 years old at the time), they were instantly injured by the thorns. One of them grabbed an interesting bush out of curiosity, the second one simply walked by and stumbled, another time someone was unable to slow down in time on a tricycle. There are countless cases of injury. Unfortunately, the owner of the huge rose bushes refused to trim and fence them, so she had to pull out the thorns almost every day. But after buying my house, I immediately moved the roses on the property away from the children’s play area. Therefore, I consider it necessary to remind future owners of barberry: if the ideal place for the plant is located near a sandbox or on a play lawn, even the most well-mannered and tame children will certainly end up in the thickets. Think, maybe there is another cozy corner for the plant?
Even unripe fruits edible varieties barberries are poisonous. Be sure to keep this in mind if you plan to plant the plant in an area accessible to children and pets (even dogs sometimes don’t mind trying a berry).
Video: useful properties
I have always been wary of traditional medicine; I even use pharmaceutical chamomile with caution. Therefore, I did not try treatment with barberry. But berries in pilaf are sacred; without them it’s just rice porridge. If you grow edible barberry at home, be sure to try it.
Most popular varieties
While most plants always retain common features between varieties, barberry refuses to follow the general rules. Its subspecies differ in the color and shape of the leaves, the color of the fruits, the shape and height of the crown; not all even adhere to the habit of shedding leaves. Some plants are so different that it is difficult to believe that they belong to the same species. But each of them is beautiful in its own way.
Photo gallery: varieties of Thunberg barberry
Tiny Gold can be recognized by its characteristic yellow-green foliage. 
Kobold tends to form a wide, dense crown 
Erecta (erect) got its name due to the clear vertical position of the branches 
Aurea is very similar to Tiny Gold, but differs in longer shoots
Among the most popular varieties of barberry:
- Thunberg. Based on this species, many varieties with noticeable differences have been bred: Aurea, Kobold, Erecta, Tiny Gold, Admiration. As a rule, these are low bushes (1–1.5 m) with small oblong-oval leaves. The crown of Thunberg barberry is very decorative: green in summer, and red, orange, yellow or purple in autumn. The shoots themselves also acquire a purple color, so a bare bush also looks beautiful. In addition to its decorative qualities, Tundberg barberry is also distinguished by its unpretentiousness to air quality (which is important in megacities) and soil, as well as drought resistance. The bright scarlet berries are attractive, but inedible. This variety is most popular in the Moscow region; the Aurea variety is well suited for the Urals;
Admiration is one of the few varieties of the Thunberg family with red-pink or red-orange leaves
- ordinary. This is a tall (up to 3 m) bush with erect shoots and a large number of thorns. The bark on the branches changes color over time from yellow to purple to grayish-white. The leaves are dark green, and the flowers are yellow and collected in clusters (like lilacs). The aroma of blooming barberry is sweet and delicate with a pronounced honey tint. The berries can be not only the usual bright red, but also yellow and white. All of them are edible and well suited for compotes and jam. Main advantages: it develops successfully in urban conditions, is not afraid of frost, tolerates shearing well, is not afraid of frost, puts forward minimal requirements for soil and lighting conditions. Main varieties: Atropurpurea, Albovariegata, Aureomarginata. Ordinary barberry is perfect for the harsh climate of Siberia;
Compared to its varietal counterparts, ordinary barberry looks modest, but it can be transformed the right haircut and care
- Amursky. This is a resident of Primorye and near Asia, which has a low-branched and at the same time spreading crown. The leaves of Amur are large (up to 10 cm), the height of the bush reaches 3 m, the fruits are edible and well stored. The plant is not afraid of drought, frost, or too active sun. The natural form of the Amur barberry is very beautiful, so it looks good in single plantings. Popular varieties: Japonica, Orpheus;
One of the distinctive features of Amur barberry is pink berries.
- Ottawa and Canadian. These species come from Canada, so they are also well adapted to the climate of the Russian Federation. Externally, Ottawa Barberry is similar to Thunberg, but with larger shoots and larger leaves; Canadian - similar to ordinary, but shorter (up to 2.5 m). Distinctive feature Ottawa - minimum thorns. Based on the Canadian subspecies, the varieties Declinata, Oxyphylla, and Rekhderiana were bred. Ottawa became the parent of Auricoma, Purpurea, Silver Miles and Superba;
Auricoma is one of the most unusual varieties, because the foliage of this barberry is not red, but almost purple
- red-leaved (Atropurpurea, Red Rocket, Red Carpet, Red Chief, Red Pillar). These varieties are distinguished by their habit of maintaining the reddish-purple color of the leaves throughout the growing season, and not just in the fall. Depending on the variety, the leaves may be red along the entire length of the shoot or only on the outer edge. Shades also vary, but they may vary due to light mode and soil composition.
Photo gallery: varieties with red crown shades
Columnar bushes of Red Pillar will help out when creating a landscape composition with clear verticals 
Looking at the scarlet shoots shooting up, it’s easy to guess why this barberry was called the red rocket 
This bush with a wide branched crown can really cover the ground with a red carpet 
IN favorable conditions Red Chief's crown takes on a deep burgundy hue
Breeders are also developing new varieties of barberry based on Korean, whole-edged, spherical, coin-shaped and other species. But now the assortment is so wide that only from these plants you can create interesting, memorable compositions.
Video: different varieties of barberry in one garden
//youtube.com/watch?v=Fw2dlfdkLVI
How to use it in landscape design
Landscape designers value this plant for its all-season decorative properties. In the spring it decorates the garden with sweet-smelling flowers, in the summer it pleases with bright foliage, in the fall the crown of the barberry changes color and becomes even brighter, and even in winter the bush continues to delight the eye with the colored bark on the bare branches. Barberry berries, which appear in late summer or early autumn, also add their own accents. In addition to color, they are also notable for their shape: oval, round, oblong and even pear-shaped.
Many varieties of barberry bear fruit very profusely
Having become acquainted with a dozen varieties of barberry, it is impossible to doubt that it will be appropriate in any area. This plant is most in demand in the following areas:
- curbs along paths. Typically, low-growing varieties are planted this way, for example, barberry Thunberg Aurea or Admiration, which form a dense edging of the path and do not interfere with admiring more distant plants;
With such an original border it is easy to divide the flowerbed into separate zones
- hedges. Here it is important to choose bushes with lush crowns and rapid regeneration, so that they tolerate pruning well (important for maintaining a neat shape of the hedge. Red Pillar or Red Rocket (for a low hedge), ordinary (if you need a high hedge) are perfect). The plant quickly increases in size , That's why optimal distance between seedlings in a hedge - 25–35 cm;
The barberry hedge looks great both trimmed and “disheveled”
- rockeries and alpine slides. Depending on the designer’s idea, both low-growing (up to 0.5 m tall), compact spherical bushes and columnar varieties will suit the yard. When it is necessary to increase the visual volume of a composition, barberry with a lush crown is often used (for example, Red Carpet or Kobold);
Without barberry, this alpine hill would lose half of its charm
- single plantings (tapeworms). Most often, medium-sized bushes (with a spreading crown or columnar) with yellow-green or red-purple leaves are selected for accents. Single green barberry bushes also look very good, given a decorative shape by pruning (topiary, geometric shapes, figures);
The luxurious bush of barberry Thunberg Rose Glow looks great in single plantings
- edge in group plantings. When a composition is planted from tall trees, barberry helps hide the unattractive bare trunk and make the flower bed more fluffy. Tall varieties of barberry can act not only as an edge, but also as the main accent of group planting.
Fluffy barberry bushes beautifully framed a modest flowerbed
Landscape designers also pay attention to the compatibility of plants with other species. Barberry makes excellent friends with all conifers, from pines and spruces (especially blue ones) to thujas (they do not have needles, but branched plates). In hedges, barberry is successfully diluted with other tall shrubs: lilac, jasmine/mock orange, wisteria. Despite the fact that the bush becomes bright in the fall, it can become an excellent background for September flowers, asters and chrysanthemums.
Here barberry makes excellent friends with other bushes and herbs
Under no circumstances plant barberry next to cherry, walnut, white acacia, elderberry, or poplar.. Such neighbors will oppress him and the bush will wither. This is due to the fact that these plants release substances that are dangerous to barberry from their roots. Fallen leaves of these species have the same effect, so it is advisable that the wind does not carry them under the berry bush.
If we talk about the color of its neighbors, then barberry can set off any shades of greenery, you just need to choose the right variety.
When creating landscape design, do not forget about contrasts. Red or purple barberry will stand out well against the background of green bushes and herbs, but will get lost next to other colored plants.
Video: barberry for mixborders
//youtube.com/watch?v=gMqGALpcLTk
Nuances of planting and caring for barberry (with photos and videos)
Barberry is an unpretentious plant, but the more successfully the seedling gets acquainted with your site, the better and more beautiful the adult bush will be. In order for the landing to take place without complications, you need to choose the right place, time and technology.
If barberry grows on your site, do not forget about its superficial root system. The roots can move significantly away from the center of the bush. Therefore, be careful when cultivating the soil around the shoots and try not to use the surrounding area for planting seasonal plants. Let the barberry's neighbors be long-lived.
Table: characteristics of the landing site
| Description of the place | Fits | Doesn't fit |
|---|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Groundwater lies deep. Watering is recommended during the driest months | The area is swampy or too wet. Frequent heavy watering leads to rotting of barberry roots even in suitable soil. |
| Presence of shadow | The less shadow, the brighter the leaves, the better the bush grows and sweeter than berries(if these characteristics are initially inherent in the selected variety) | The thicker the shadow, the greener the leaves, the worse the fruits and the slower the development of the bush. The roots of barberry grow better in the shade, so it is worth temporarily planting a bush there, which you plan to propagate by division. |
| Wind loads | A quiet, windless place, protected by buildings, a fence or other plants | An open area, especially if it experiences strong seasonal winds |
| Rockiness of the soil | Rocks with a minimal layer of turf, pebble river beaches, fertile loose soil. Barberry also grows well in loamy soil. | Dense clay soil with low oxygen content. Barberry loves good aeration, so when planting in dense soil you will need to loosen it often |
| Soil acidity | Normal (pH about 7), slightly acidic (pH 6–4), slightly alkaline (pH 7–8) | Alkaline reaction (pH greater than 8) |
The traditional time for planting barberry seedlings is spring or autumn. It is better to plant plants in the fall so that the plant has time to take root. When planting in spring, the bush has to spend energy simultaneously restoring the root system and flowering, which significantly reduces the growth rate. But if you managed to find the right variety only in the spring, it’s not a big deal. Just, if possible, choose a seedling with an earthen clod. Its thin roots are not damaged, so it will quickly take root in your area.
Seedlings with a closed root system (in pots) can be planted not only in spring and autumn, but also in summer. This does not impair their survival rate on your site.
Barberry planting technology:
- For each seedling, prepare a hole (if there are many plants, a trench). The dimensions of the recess should be such that it is possible to straighten the roots in it/freely place a lump of earth. Select the depth with reserve, since there will be drainage at the bottom.
If the excavated soil turns out to be fertile, a soil mixture can be made from it.
- Lay a layer of gravel, pebbles or simply broken bricks in the hole/trench, which will drain excess moisture from the roots of the barberry. Place a layer of soil mixture on top of the drainage (from the store or garden soil + a handful of mineral fertilizer) and pour plenty of water.
If there is expanded clay left at home, it can also be added to the drainage layer
- It is advisable to drive a peg into the ground before placing the seedling, which will become a support for the not yet rooted plant.
Remember that the support peg must be driven in before planting the plant so as not to accidentally damage the roots
- Carefully place the plant in the hole/trench and straighten the roots without pressing. If there is a lump of earth around the roots, there is no need to straighten them.
If you buy a seedling in a pot, the clump should look like this - with a lot of yellow roots
- Fill the hole with soil mixture, gently compacting it with your hands. The root collar of the plant should be at a depth of 3–4 cm from the surface.
To ensure that the seedling does not deviate from the vertical after planting, immediately tie it to a post
- Water the soil around the plant generously and mulch the tree trunk with sawdust or fallen leaves.
Sawdust of the middle fraction is best suited, but you can take smaller ones
My first meeting with a living barberry happened when an old friend presented my mother-in-law with several seedlings, one of which migrated to me. I usually buy seedlings from people who willingly answer questions, I always ask a lot about the nuances and clarify the name of the variety several times. I even compared apple trees with other varieties in order to accurately determine that nothing was confused. But the barberry came to me incognito; I didn’t know the variety or growing conditions. Therefore, I planted what is called “at random” - next to the raspberries and using the same technology. As I later read, the place turned out to be unsuccessful - half the day it is shaded, but it simply couldn’t have been better (I have tomatoes growing on the most advantageous pieces of land). This is probably why the bush grew slower than its fellows, and the berries turned out to be tasteless. But barberry foliage is just a breath of positivity. Although it is not as red as in the pictures, the corner occupied by the bush now seems cozier and brighter, so I don’t regret the time and effort spent one bit.
Video: linear planting of ornamental shrubs
Caring for young animals after planting in open ground
Caring for decorative barberry after planting is simple. Firstly, during the dry period it needs to be watered (like raspberries and currants), especially in the first year after planting. If you do not have the opportunity to frequently visit your garden plot, it is better to select a drought-resistant variety in advance (for example, the inedible Thunberga or the edible Amursky). When the bush has lived for 2–3 years, it can only be watered during the driest period.
Even a teenager can easily handle cutting a young barberry
Secondly, to maintain beautiful shape bush, barberry will need a haircut. If your garden does not provide clear geometric shapes, you can simply get by with seasonal removal of substandard (dried, diseased, frozen, broken) and interfering branches. Sanitary cleaning is carried out in mid-July and early August. The cosmetic application will have to be repeated more often as the out-of-shape branches grow.
Barberry Thunberg is characterized by its slow growth, making it an ideal candidate for creating complex geometric compositions. It needs to be trimmed several times less often than other varieties of barberry.
The third rule of care is feeding. It is enough to pamper barberry twice a year, starting from the second year of the plant’s life. In the spring, he prefers fertilizers saturated with potassium and nitrogen (20–30 g of urea per 10 liters of water), and in the fall - with phosphorus. The procedure will only need to be repeated after 4–5 years. You can’t feed barberry more than twice a year, it’s dangerous for the plant.
Even an ordinary bag can protect a bush in winter
The fourth important point is wintering. Most varieties of barberry tolerate frost well, but all varieties of Thunberg have to be covered. Their ancestor came to us from Japan, so he was used to a milder climate. To do this, just wrap the bush non-woven material(agrofibre or geotextile for greenhouses) or cover with spruce branches (if coniferous trees grow near your site).
Table: what ails barberry
If you notice such raised orange spots on the leaves, it means the barberry has been affected by rust.
To prevent most barberry diseases, it is enough to treat it with Bordeaux mixture.
Reproduction methods
Traditional propagation by seeds in the case of ornamental shrubs practically not used. The process is too long and is accompanied by the risk of losing some varietal characteristics. Barberry is also usually propagated by vegetative methods: cuttings, dividing bushes, and branching.
Video: growing bushes from seeds
Dividing the bush
The division method is the most common, but requires accuracy. If everything is done correctly, the plant receives minimal stress and you quickly get two mature bushes. But if you make a mistake, you can ruin a good barberry. For a positive outcome you need:
You can divide the bushes in the off-season - in spring or autumn.
Bends
Propagation of barberry by cuttings also does not require much effort. The essence of the method is that shoots that fall underground independently produce additional roots.
To prevent the branches from rising again, press them down in the trench, or place a heavy stone on top of the backfilled outlet.
To trigger this reaction, annual shoots are bent to the ground and covered with soil so that only the top leaves stick out from under it. These shoots are called branches. When roots appear on the shoots, they can be dug up and planted in a new place. This method is good because it does not bring stress to the main bush; the “parent” continues to grow and bear fruit normally.
Video: propagation of barberry by offsets
Cuttings
Cuttings require more careful work:
- Cut branches of annual shoots at an angle of 45 degrees. Do not take old shoots - they are more difficult to prune and stimulate correctly. The lower leaves on the branches need to be cut off, they will get in the way.
Please note - to turn a cut twig into a cutting, be sure to remove the lower leaves
- Moisten the peat-sand mixture and immerse the cut shoots into it to a depth of 2-3 cm. If you do not have access to the substrate components, buy a bag of ready-made soil at a gardening store; you will only need a little of it.
Many gardeners prefer to immerse the branch in the ground not vertically, but at an angle
- Maintain stable, moderate substrate moisture until the branches take root. This can be achieved by planting seedlings in a mini-greenhouse, covering the bed with agrofibre or a cut plastic bottle.
By planting cuttings in a row you can form a beautiful hedge
Preparation of cuttings is carried out only in the spring, so if you missed a good time, it is better to postpone propagation until next year. In the fall, if there are spreading bushes on the site, you can use the division method.
Video: barberry propagation
And this fragrant berry bush? Perhaps it's time to add some new additions to your lawn. bright accent in the form of an unusual variety of barberry.
Ornamental shrubs serve as hedges and shade flower arrangements.
Thanks to their elegant foliage, many of them look good in single plantings. Barberry in the country will be the pearl of the garden.
Majority decorative varieties changes foliage color throughout the summer. The culture is unpretentious and can withstand harsh winters almost painlessly.
In the wild, the crop is a shrub reaching two meters in height. The arched branches of the plant are studded with thorns.
Leaves grow from the base of the thorns. Barberry blooms in May–June.
The oblong red berries ripen in September. They contain many vitamins and microelements. IN natural environment bushes grow along rivers, at the foot of mountains, on the edges.
Decorative barberry looks great both during the flowering and fruiting periods. Elegant autumn foliage sets off yellowed trees and bushes.
About ten species of shrubs grow on Russian territory, but breeders are creating new unique and hardy varieties.
Today, tall plants, dwarfs and semi-creeping shrubs are available for sale.
Common barberry is more common than others. The plant takes root well and grows quickly. The flowers have a honey aroma.
Gardeners prefer bushes with purple leaves, which look impressive as a hedge.
Popular varieties:
The low-growing shrub has white-variegated foliage.
In shaded areas it loses its decorative effect.
The flowering period occurs at the end of May.
The fruits ripen by the end of September and remain on the bush until frost occurs. The berries can be used in cooking.
Aureo-marginata is a medium-sized plant.
The leaves have a golden hue.
By early autumn they turn bright red.
Yellow-red flowers form on the bush.
The berries ripen in September.
Atropupurea - the bush reaches two meters in height. The leaf color is purple.
The branches grow by 25 cm per year.
Small flowers are yellow in color.
The plant produces a bountiful harvest every year. The variety is drought resistant.
Common barberry is suitable for hedges in the conditions of Siberia and the Far East.
From the mountain slopes of China and Japan came barberry thunberg. This species is compact and spherical.
Other advantages include special decorativeness and resistance to fungal diseases.
Popular varieties:
Lutin rouge. This variety of Thunberg barberry is suitable for small areas. The foliage is tinted red throughout the summer. The fruits do not fall off in the winter, which gives the bush additional decorativeness. The variety can withstand cold temperatures down to -30˚C.
Pink Queen. The height of the bush does not exceed one and a half meters. The spreading crown and pinkish leaves allow this variety to be planted in solitaire plantings. In the shade the leaves turn brown. The variety tolerates pruning well.
Admiration. The height of the plant barely exceeds half a meter. Shoots grow slowly. Red leaves are edged with a light stripe. Bright red berries remain on the bush until mid-winter.
Thunberg barberry “Kornita” is most often used for landscaping parks and courtyards. The spreading, dark-colored shrub is drought-resistant and winter-hardy.
Timing and choice of landing site
An open and sunny area is suitable for the plant. The amount of light directly affects the color of the foliage.
The future flowerbed should be dry, the plant does not tolerate flooding and high groundwater. The bush has a powerful root system, so low-lying areas are also not suitable.
Barberry seedlings are planted in the spring, before the buds open. During this period, the seedlings will actively grow and produce new shoots.
It is allowed to plant barberry in the fall. In this case, it is necessary to pay special attention to protecting the young plant from frost.
Preparation and rules for planting young seedlings
Planting and further care in open ground depends on the quality of barberry seedlings. It is not recommended for a novice gardener to pursue exotics.
It is better to give preference to proven varieties of ordinary barberry. When purchasing, you should make sure that there are no dry leaves or shoots on the seedling. The root system must be elastic.
The plant prefers soils with a neutral pH.
If the soil on the site is acidic, it is necessary to add wood ash or slaked lime in advance.
Heavy soils drain. To do this, crushed stone or broken brick is poured into the bottom of the planting pit.
The size of one pit is 40 by 40 cm.
After planting, the bushes are watered and mulched abundantly. It is recommended to trim off extended branches.
Planting a single plant
The distance from other plants is at least one and a half meters.
The depth of the hole should be slightly larger than the earthen ball of the seedling.
After immersing the roots in landing pit carefully laid out.
It is better to sprinkle the plant with a nutritious substrate consisting of peat, turf soil and humus.
You can’t bury the growing point, as this slows down the development of the bushes.
Planting a hedge
Barberry does not suffer from baldness of the lower part, so the green fences are especially lush.
Planting barberry depends on how thick the hedge is planned to be.
In order for the bushes to grow in a dense wall, it is necessary to plant 4 seedlings per linear meter.
Selection of neighbors for barberry
The shrub gets along well with most garden plants. It goes well with flowering perennials like roses and chrysanthemums. Peony and barberry are often used together in landscape design.
In alpine hills, shrubs are planted next to thuja, juniper, heather and boxwood.
In mixborders, barberry's neighbors are hostas, echinaceas, bergenia and miscanthus. Dogwood and barberry are good to alternate in a hedge.
Methods for propagating barberry
All types of shrubs reproduce quite easily. The choice of one method or another depends on the variety of the mother plant and the climatic conditions of the region.
Seeds
Growing barberry from seeds is not suitable for hybrid varieties.
The fruits are harvested after they are fully ripe. There are two methods of sowing.
For autumn sowing, the seeds are not cleared of pulp, but the berries themselves are immediately lowered into the ground to a depth of 3 cm.
The top of the soil is covered with mulch. With the arrival of a thaw, the plantings are covered with film until the sprouts appear.
For spring sowing, barberry seeds must be pre-treated. After picking, the berries are passed through a sieve and washed.
Then the seed is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate. At the last stage, dry the bones well on a napkin.
Prepared seeds overwinter in the refrigerator. They are immersed in sand or wet sphagnum moss. In March, seeds are sown on the windowsill traditional way.
The first few years the crop is grown in room conditions. Young plants can be transferred to the site two years after germination.
Cuttings
Propagation of barberry in this way is suitable for all climatic zones.
Cuttings are carried out in the summer, in early hours until the dew dries.
To work, you will need annual growths 15 cm long. The bark on such shoots does not have time to become woody.
It is necessary to make an oblique cut under the kidney. Leaves and spines are removed.
Cuttings take root in a covered greenhouse with nutritious soil.
The material is buried 2–3 cm. The plantings are watered from a watering can with a diffuser with water at room temperature.
Full roots are formed at the end of September. The seedlings are dug up and sent to open ground for growing.
After a year, the strengthened plant can be planted on permanent place.
Layerings
A full-fledged barberry bush can be obtained with the help of several annual shoots.
This is an ideal way to propagate rare varieties.
Long and straight branches are suitable for work.
The ground around the bush is first dug up, loosened and watered abundantly.
The shoots are bent to the ground and pinned with iron staples. Then this place is covered with earth, leaving the top of the branch.
In autumn, rooted shoots are dug up and separated from the mother plant. The young shoot is planted in open ground for the winter.
Dividing the bush
The method is suitable for low-growing and dwarf varieties. An adult bush is dug up in the spring, before the buds open.
It is carefully divided using garden tools, and the sections are processed charcoal. Barberry is transplanted immediately to a permanent place.
How to care for barberry on the site
Caring for barberry is not much different from caring for other ornamental shrubs.
For a rich shade of foliage you need solar lighting, watering and fertilizing.
Watering, weeding and loosening the soil
A newly planted plant is watered once every 10 days.
The root system of adult barberry is deep and branched, so the bushes do not require systematic watering.
During the dry period of summer, water at room temperature is introduced into the tree trunk circle from a watering can without a nozzle.
Weeds are removed as they grow. The soil around the bush is loosened a few days after watering.
This procedure must not be neglected, otherwise the root system will not receive required amount oxygen.
Fertilizer application
In spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the bushes. To do this, 30 g of urea is dissolved in 10 liters of water. This feeding will give impetus to the development of green mass.
During the flowering period, barberry in the garden is responsive to organic matter. Humus or diluted manure works well.
Mineral fertilizers apply in early autumn. Granules of superphosphate or potassium sulfate will help the shrub survive the winter.
Proper pruning
Trimming dry branches and thickened shoots is necessary for the proper development of barberry. This type of pruning can be done at any time.
Barberry pruning for the purpose of formation is carried out in the fall, before the onset of the first frost.
It is necessary to set the shape of the crown during the first trimming, then all subsequent procedures will be easier.
In the second year of life, a third of all green mass is removed from a hedge.
Low-growing and compact dwarf varieties do not need to be formed.
Wintering barberry
Most varieties withstand the Russian winter without additional shelter.
The exception is evergreen plants; their annual growth is killed by the cold.
In warm regions, barberry retains berries on the bushes in winter, which gives it additional decorative value.
Heat-loving varieties are covered with spruce branches as soon as the temperature drops to -10˚C.
Very young bushes can be wrapped in spunbond.
With the arrival of low temperatures, the bushes are additionally covered with a thick layer of snow.
Barberry begins to grow in early spring, so it is important to remove the cover in time.
How to deal with pests and diseases of barberry
Prolonged rains, cold weather and errors in agricultural technology lead to various ailments. barberry bush susceptible to powdery mildew.
Under its influence, the leaves become covered with a gray coating, which spreads to the thorns and berries.
At the first signs of infection, the plantings are sprayed with the preparations “Skor”, “Topaz”, “Fundazol”.
The cause of rust on the leaves is a fungus that gets onto the bushes from nearby plantings of cereal crops.
In advanced forms of the disease, the plant may die. For fungus, the bushes are treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture, Oxychom, and Ordan.
A common disease is bacteriosis. Infected plants become covered with cracks.
Both individual branches and the whole bush can die. Some types of bacteriosis lead to neoplasms. The drugs “Fitolavin” and “Gamair” are used as prophylaxis.
The most dangerous insects is the barberry aphid. Because of it, young foliage grows asymmetrical and wrinkled.
The beautiful barberry will give your garden plot a magical and unique look from spring, when its yellow flowers with a delicate aroma bloom, until late autumn, when clusters of bright red fruits are stunningly combined with orange leaves. And if you add to this the high medicinal properties, then barberry is a resolved issue. Caring for this plant is simple, and the hedge turns out simply magnificent.
Description of the plant
The name of this original ornamental bush comes from the Arabic beriberi, which means shell. The flower petals really resemble her. The barberry plant is distinguished by its branching, thorns and light brown bark. The size of the bush can reach a height of 3.5 m. The rhizomes are woody, creeping. Shoots with edges are straight, yellow color, later they will turn gray and white. On shorter shoots, leaves up to 4 cm long, thin, elliptical or obovate, appear from the buds. On longer shoots, from three to five spines up to 2 cm long develop.
In the spring, at the end of April and beginning of May, fragrant clusters of yellow flowers appear on the plant. Their number can reach up to 25 pieces. By the end of September, the bush bears fruit with bright red or purple oblong-shaped fruits. Barberry has seeds up to 7 mm long, narrowed and flattened in its upper part.
Distribution and ecology
Previously, barberry could only be found in Europe, Transcaucasia and Western Asia. He preferred the forest-steppe zone with sufficient lighting and dry soil. You could also meet him in the mountains, at an altitude of up to 2 km. What does a barberry bush look like growing in the wild? The plant has a rather unsightly appearance. Today, due to the fact that a huge number of varieties have been bred, the decorative barberry bush cannot be found except in the Arctic or Antarctica.
Beneficial features
Apart from the ripened berries, all other parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine. The roots also contain other alkaloids: oxyacanthin, jatroricin, palmatine, columbamine. The bark contains a lot of tannins and aromatic resins, and the leaves contain vitamin K. Ripe fruits contain carotenoids - lutein, flavoxanthin, xanthophyll, etc., as well as sugars, malic acid, pectins.
Also in Ancient Rus' Roots, branches and bark were infused with alcohol to stop the flow of blood from wounds and relieve inflammation. Barberry is an ideal antibiotic, gifted by nature, which was used to treat various colds. An infusion of fruits strengthened the immune system and supported the liver. And in Ancient Rome It was believed that barberry brings happiness and good luck, so it was protected in every possible way.
In modern official medicine, an alcohol tincture from the leaves is used in gynecology to stop uterine bleeding and inhibit inflammatory processes. Berberine treats major liver and gallbladder problems. An aqueous infusion of the fruit relieves attacks of malaria due to its strong diaphoretic properties. In case of rheumatism, it helps to soothe pain.
Application of barberry
The most widespread use of berries is in cooking: juices and fruit drinks, jams and jellies. Add dried berry powder to the meat sauce, and you won’t be able to drag your family away from the plate by the ears. In Central Asia, pilaf is not prepared without barberry, and the peoples of the Caucasus add it to horseradish.
Thanks to its sour taste, barberry can replace vinegar. And unripe pickled fruits can perfectly replace capers. Tincture and decoction are used in veterinary medicine as a hemostatic agent for various wounds in animals.
Barberry and pregnancy
Unfortunately, if the situation is interesting, you should completely avoid eating both the berries themselves and various tinctures. Due to the alkaloids contained in the plant, miscarriage is possible. Also, in pregnant women, fetuses can cause blood clots.
However a small amount of sauce for meat containing barberry will not do any harm, so if you really want it, then eat it for your health. Just remember that everything should be in moderation.
How and where to plant barberry
Planting a barberry bush begins with choosing a location. This plant prefers open areas well lit by the sun. And for species that belong to Central Asia, you need to select a place so that there are no drafts. The barberry bush has the following soil requirements: loam or well-drained soil, because the plant does not like waterlogging.
Planting a barberry bush in the place allocated for its growth is carried out in the spring, before the buds begin to bloom, but planting is also possible in the fall, when the leaves begin to actively fall off. Before planting in the hole, add a mixture of humus, soil and sand (in equal proportions). The depth should be 25-30 cm for 2-3 year old seedlings and 40-50 for 5-7 year old seedlings. If you plan to make a hedge, then you need to plant the bushes in a trench. If the soil on your site is acidic, for example peat, then under the bushes you need to add 200 g of wood ash, 300-400 g of lime or dolomite flour. Of the fertilizers, you will only need 100 g of superphosphate.
How to care for a barberry bush
If you have planted barberry bushes, caring for them will be easy. If the planting site is initially chosen correctly, and the soil is provided with good aeration, the roots will be healthy and able to breathe. Sometimes you just need to loosen the soil and remove weeds.
In the spring, at the beginning of the season or immediately after flowering, you need to prune barberry. The bush is trimmed annually. This action is aimed at the formation of a lush crown and the removal of weak and diseased shoots. And do not forget about the sharp barberry thorns when caring for them. The next year after planting in the spring, be sure to feed your barberry with nitrogen fertilizer. Dimensions of the bush and its lush flowering They will thank you for such care. Feeding needs to be repeated every three years.
Basic techniques for propagating barberry
There are four main ways to propagate barberry on your site: dividing the bush, planting by layering, summer cuttings and seeds.
- The plot should be sown with seeds in the fall. Squeeze the freshly picked fruits, rinse with running water and dry. They need to be placed at a depth of no more than one centimeter. The soil should be loose, and the planting site should be well heated by the sun. By summer, the plant will delight you with friendly shoots. But it is better to replant the barberry bush after a year.
- The plant is easily propagated using summer cuttings. Just place them required quantity into the soil in June, and within a couple of years you will have enough material for planting.
- Dividing the bush is another method of propagation. In this case, the main bush is carefully dug up so as not to damage the root system and cut into several parts. If the roots are very thick, they are simply sawed lengthwise and the resulting parts are planted in new holes, moistening them generously before planting.
- Layerings are made in the spring from young and healthy branches. Grooves are dug around the bush, into which the selected branches are placed. There they are fixed and sprinkled with earth so that only one top remains outside. The cuttings are well watered throughout the season, and in the fall you will have bushes ready for planting.
Pests and diseases
Although the decorative barberry bush is quite resistant to both fungal diseases and pests, it is also susceptible to them. The most common fungal infections are anthracnose and powdery mildew. In the first case, the disease manifests itself as round spots Brown on the leaves, in the second - a white coating, as if sprinkled with flour, on branches, leaves and flowers. Fungal infection is the first sign of excess water. Fungicides are used for treatment, and the affected parts are pruned and burned.
Barberry is a plant that is an intermediate host of such a scourge Agriculture like a rust fungus that attacks cereal crops. That is why its cultivation next to fields of rye and wheat is unacceptable. The only exception is Thunberg barberry, which is not susceptible to rust. When the disease occurs, spots are visible on the leaves. orange color with pads on the underside, in which spores ripen in large quantities. They spread to cereals, both wild and cultivated, with the help of the wind.
Another disease is caused by a fungus from the genus Fusarium. Infection occurs through the roots, which rot, and the fungus rises through the vessels through the branches, causing the bush to wither. If you cut a branch, you can see rings of brown vessels.
The most common insect pest is the barberry aphid. Its presence can be seen by wrinkled and dried leaves. You can get rid of aphids using a solution of laundry soap (300 g per bucket of water). The moth caterpillar eats the berries. If they appear, treat barberry with Chlorophos or Decis.
The most common types of barberry
Berberis vulgaris, or ordinary barberry, is very unpretentious in care, the height of which can reach two or more meters. The leaves are colored dark green color, and the flowers are brilliant yellow. The fruits are quite edible, juicy, with a sour taste, and colored bright red.
If your region has severe frosts, then this species is for you. It tolerates frost well and survives drought well. It can be propagated by seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings. Do you need a hedge to prevent anyone from passing through? Common barberry will help with this. However, protect your bushes from excess moisture; this species is very susceptible to diseases caused by fungi.
The plant has many varieties:
- Atropurpurea is a barberry bush, the photo of which is presented below, with red leaves.
- Aureomarginata is a plant bordered with a golden line.
- Albovariegata with variegated leaves.
When propagating original varieties, it should be taken into account that when planted with seeds, only some of the plants will retain their varietal characteristics.
Berberis canadensis, or Canadian barberry, as the name implies, came from North America. It differs from its European counterpart in being more spreading. Resistant to frost and drought. Mainly used for landscaping on the American continent, therefore it is extremely rare in Russia.
Berberis thunbergii, or Thunberg's barberry, is native to China and Japan. This is a small shrub up to a meter high, but in diameter it can reach one and a half meters. The shoots are very densely covered with small spines. The flowers are reddish-yellow in color and are collected in small inflorescences of 2-4 pieces. But the berries are unsuitable for food because of their bitter taste, although birds eat them with great pleasure.
Unlike its European and American counterparts, Thunberg barberry practically does not suffer from fungal diseases, including rust. It is easy to propagate either by seeds or by dividing the bush; cuttings are also easy. This species has more than 50 varieties, which differ in the original color of the leaves, their shape and size. If you come across an unusually colored barberry bush, the photo of which interests you, most likely it is Thunberg.
Berberis x ottawiensis, or - is a hybrid obtained by crossing red barberry and Thunberg. The main difference is the dark purple, obovate leaves. When autumn comes, they turn a deep red. Beautiful clusters of yellow flowers with a reddish tint, which are collected in groups of 8-10, bloom at the end of May. From its “parents” the plant acquired all the best - beauty of color, unpretentiousness and immunity to fungal diseases.
Berberis koreana, or Korean barberry, the height of the bush reaches two meters, has large leaves of an obovate shape, leathery to the touch. In autumn they turn purple-red. The plant is native to the Korean Peninsula. The flowers are collected in long racemes of 15-20 pieces, and the smell is very strong. Barberry is very easy to care for and resistant to frost. Only in windy, cold winters can its tops freeze. But he won’t like thaws; during this period the humidity is very high for him, and this plant, is known to be highly susceptible to rust.
Berberis integerrima, or entire barberry, came to our garden plots from Central Asia, where it grows at an altitude of up to 2500 meters above sea level. The height of the bush can reach two and a half meters. The spines are small, one and a half centimeters long, and the leaves with a solid edge are colored grayish-green. Up to 20 yellow flowers can be collected in inflorescences, and the fruits are dark burgundy with a bluish coating. The entire barberry bush does not like acidic soil. Planting and caring for it is quite simple. Adult plants survive even the harshest winter well, but young plants may freeze, but they can easily tolerate pruning and grow back quickly.
Berberis sphaerocarpa, or spherical barberry (also called heteropod), came to our garden plots from the mountains of Central Asia. The shrub can reach 2.5 meters in height, very spreading, with finely serrated leaves of a gray-green color along the edge. The inflorescences collected in groups of 5-10 flowers are very fragrant. The fruit with a bluish bloom is colored dark blue.
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan constantly use berries in cooking, adding them to barbecue sauce and shurpa. The fruits are an excellent remedy fight against scurvy, as they are very rich in ascorbic acid.
This species is very easy to care for and can tolerate even extreme heat and long droughts. It tolerates frosty winters well, but young shoots may be damaged, so it is better to cover them. But excessive moisture can lead to spherical barberry disease; it is especially susceptible to rust. Plant it in a place that is not blown by draft winds, and the soil is dry and not acidic, and you will enjoy tasty fruits and beautiful appearance. Propagated best by cuttings and seeds.
Berberis nummularia, or coin barberry, came to us from the steppes of Central and Northern Asia. The shrub is very branched, up to 2 meters high. The reddish branches are covered with very large spines up to 3 cm long. The bluish-green leaves are very hard, entire, oblong-elliptical in shape. Large bright yellow flowers are collected in brushes. The oval-shaped berries are bright red when ripe. Until 3-4 years of age, barberry is susceptible to frostbite, after which it takes a long time to recover. It does not like heavily moist soil, as it is very susceptible to fungal diseases. But he is not afraid of drought, even severe and prolonged. It requires light, non-acidic soil.
Originally from the Far East. In the wild, it prefers to settle on river banks and forest edges. Outwardly, it is not much different from the ordinary Amur barberry, the height of which can reach 3.5 m. Large, jagged leaves of a glossy green color turn either yellow or purple in the fall.
The unpretentious shrub is well known to gardeners all over the world. Today, about five hundred species of barberry are known, which may be of interest due to their medicinal and decorative properties. Many plants are used as fruit bushes. And during flowering, a lot of bees flock to the plants, which makes the crop a valuable honey plant.
For those who want to see barberry on their site, planting and caring for the shrub will not cause serious difficulties. Still, you should know about some cultural features in advance.
Preparing the landing site
In nature, large spreading barberry bushes can be found on clearings that are beginning to overgrow and on dry, sunny slopes. Therefore, in the garden you will have to find a fairly spacious area with good lighting, not shaded, but protected from drafts.
- The shrub has an extremely negative attitude towards the proximity of groundwater and stagnant moisture, so it is better to plant it on a slope or small hill.
- The soil for planting barberry should be light and loose. The crop does not suffer from a deficiency of organic matter in the soil, but if it is excessively acidic above pH 7.5, it is better to take care of adding limestone or dolomite flour under the bush.
- If the site is dominated by loam or chernozem, it is necessary to ensure good drainage for barberry and add peat or limestone flour.
- Liming is carried out on peat bogs, and liming is also applied.
Before planting barberry, a hole for it is prepared in advance. This is especially important if the seedlings are large or if an existing adult bush is being divided.
- For bushes no older than three years of age, the hole should have a diameter of about 25 cm and a depth of 25–30 cm.
- A hole with a diameter of about 50 cm and the same depth is prepared for seedlings aged from 4 to 7 years.
- If barberry is planted to create a hedge, a trench 40 cm deep and wide will be required.
When the planting site is ready, to fill it you need a nutrient substrate from a mixture of equal parts of humus or compost, sand and loose garden soil. Superphosphate is often used as a fertilizer when planting barberry.
How to plant barberry?
If the root system of the seedling in the container is reliably protected by a soil ball, the plant can be replanted at any convenient time, having first thoroughly wetted the container with the young bush.
But when to plant barberry if the gardener has at his disposal a rooted cutting or layering with open roots?
- The best time for the event is spring. It is important to have time to plant the plant at the right time. When the soil has already warmed up, but not dried out, and the buds have not yet begun to grow.
- If time is lost, it is possible to plant barberry in the fall, when the bush begins to lose its foliage and all life processes in the plant begin to slow down.
Barberry can be propagated both by vegetative plants and by seeds from ripened berries. When barberry is already growing on the site, bushes from 3 to 5 years old with branching below ground level can be divided, obtaining two or three seedlings with an independent root system, and planted.
Almost all species can be easily propagated through green cuttings:
- You need to select branches for cuttings from strong shoots of this year, sufficiently elastic and brittle when bent.
- Unripe cuttings run the risk of rotting and take longer to acclimatize when planted.
- And the coarse woody parts of the branches are more difficult to take root. If they are used for planting barberries, the cuttings are cut in the fall and stored until spring at temperatures close to zero.
The middle parts of shoots with a diameter of about 0.5 cm suitable for cuttings are divided into segments 7 to 10 cm long with two healthy nodes and one internode between them. If the cutting turns out to be too short, you can leave three pairs of leaves.
- The top of a piece of shoot is cut off horizontally.
- The bottom cut should have an angle of 45°.
- At the top node, the leaves are cut in half.
- The lower leaves are removed completely, without affecting the axillary buds and spines.
It is better to root barberry in a sand-peat mixture, into which the cuttings are immersed at an angle of 45°. Leave 5 cm between rows, and from one cutting to another there should be at least 10 cm.
For better survival, you can use Kornevin, indolylacetic acid or other stimulants, and also create temperature and humidity conditions favorable for barberry, from 20 to 25 °C. To maintain air humidity of about 85%, plantings are watered up to twice a day.
When the barberry takes root, small seedlings continue to be grown in greenhouse conditions up to two years, and then barberry is planted in the ground in autumn or spring. 
Propagation of barberry by seeds
You can get seeds for sowing by thoroughly mashing fresh berries. The extracted grains are washed and dried thoroughly.
- If sowing is carried out in the fall, then for seeds in loose nutritious soil it is enough to make centimeter-deep grooves up to 1 cm deep.
- When planting in spring, the seeds are stratified. The procedure takes place at a temperature of 2 to 5 ° C and lasts from two to four months, depending on the variety and type of barberry.
As the seedlings develop two true leaves, they can be thinned out, leaving one plant for every three centimeters. The further process is similar to that in the case of propagation by cuttings. And after two years the time comes when you can plant barberry in a permanent place in the garden.
How to care for barberry?
Adult barberry bushes are not so demanding when it comes to watering; the main thing is that there is sufficient moisture at the planting and rooting stage.
Shrubs planted in the garden can be watered only when the soil under the crown dries out significantly. It is much more important that the soil is thoroughly loosened so that oxygen and moisture have free access to the roots of the barberry.
To maintain moisture and improve the structure of the soil under the crown, it is mulched with an 8-centimeter layer of peat, sawdust or other available means. How to care for barberry during the warm season? Does the plant require feeding, and what fertilizers are preferable for this crop?
- From the second year of life, the shrub should receive nitrogen-containing spring feeding. Barberry responds well to watering with diluted infusion or bird droppings.
- Before flowering, adults receive complex fertilizers with microelements. It is better if these are granular products that will gradually enrich the soil under the crown.
- In September, 10 grams of potassium fertilizer and 15 grams of superphosphate per plant are applied to the bushes.
Annual fertilization is not required; barberry only needs to receive such support once every two or three years.
How to prune barberry?
No matter how simple planting and caring for barberry may be, the photo clearly shows the well-developed spines with which all the branches of the bush are literally planted. They constitute the most serious problem for the gardener, because it is impossible to do without pruning the bush. For this type of work, durable gloves and tools with sufficiently long handles are vital.
Low-growing varieties, often used in single plantings or as a decorative green border, can not be specially formed, but only damaged and dry shoots can be removed. But when and how to prune barberry if the bush forms a dense hedge?
- In this case, the first forming pruning of plants is carried out a year after planting, and in older shrubs, bushes that are one to two years old are shortened by a third or even half the length.
- Barberry is trimmed after flowering and before the autumn cold.
When pruning barberry in spring, be sure to trim or completely remove all damaged branches that have frozen over the winter and show signs of the presence of pests or diseases. The procedure must be carried out before foliage appears on the bushes.
Autumn shrubs for the garden (Barberry) - video
