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How To Grow And Care For Berberis

Discover the beauty and versatility of Berberis shrubs, with their vibrant flowers, attractive foliage, and abundant berries. Learn how to grow and care for them.

This is one of the big families of shrubs, containing both deciduous and evergreen species, the former grown mainly for their heavy crops of small scarlet or crimson berries, the latter for their yellow flowers and attractive foliage.

Key Information:

This is one of the big families of shrubs, containing both deciduous and evergreen species, the former grown mainly for their heavy crops of small scarlet or crimson berries, the latter for their yellow flowers and attractive foliage. Most are very spiny, which makes them suitable for use as outer protective hedges or screens, and most are also very hardy and easy to grow in almost any soil.

  • Specially recommended deciduous kinds are Buccaneer, 4 to 6 ft., red berries; thunbergii atropurpurea, 5 to 7 ft., beetroot-purple leaves, and if there is room for a really big bush, jamesiana, 8 to 10 ft., with arching, coral-red stems and berries which change from coral to crimson.
  • Fine evergreen kinds are darwinii, 8 to 10 ft., with small holly-like leaves and orange flowers in spririg, followed by grape-purple berries; stenophylla, 8 to 10 ft., with arching stems wreathed in spring in sweet-scented, yellow flowers, and verruculosa, which has much the effect of darwinii reduced to half its size. There are also dwarf forms of Berberis stenophylla, such as corallina, red buds opening to yellow flowers, and gracilis, yellow, which can be very useful in small gardens.

This is one of the big families of shrubs, containing both deciduous and evergreen species, the former grown mainly for their heavy crops of small scarlet or crimson berries, the latter for their yellow flowers and attractive foliage. Most are very spiny, which makes them suitable for use as outer protective hedges or screens, and most are also very hardy and easy to grow in almost any soil.

Specially recommended deciduous kinds are Buccaneer, 4 to 6 ft., red berries; thunbergii atropurpurea, 5 to 7 ft., beetroot-purple leaves, and if there is room for a really big bush, jamesiana, 8 to 10 ft., with arching, coral-red stems and berries which change from coral to crimson.

Fine evergreen kinds are darwinii, 8 to 10 ft., with small holly-like leaves and orange flowers in spririg, followed by grape-purple berries; stenophylla, 8 to 10 ft., with arching stems wreathed in spring in sweet-scented, yellow flowers, and verruculosa, which has much the effect of darwinii reduced to half its size. There are also dwarf forms of Berberis stenophylla, such as corallina, red buds opening to yellow flowers, and gracilis, yellow, which can be very useful in small gardens.

The dense growth of most barberries tends to kill the stems beneath and so dead wood needs to be cut out in winter, and at the same time unwanted or overgrown stems of deciduous kinds can be removed. Pruning of evergreen varieties is best done after flowering.

Berberis are trouble-free, easy shrubs, grown for their striking flowers and berries. They will succeed almost anywhere, and do not need the protection of a wall, but are often placed near one because they look so good there. B. aggregata, height 1.8m (6 ft), carries yellow flowers in July, followed by waxy red berries; the leaves turn colour in the autumn. B. bunfolia is evergreen. Yellow flowers in the spring are followed by blue, waxy berries. B. darwinii is one of the most splendid species, growing to 3m (loft), evergreen, with tiny holly-like leaves, masses of dark yellow or orange flowers followed by light blue berries. It makes a fine screen or hedge plant. Flowers in May.

Another good screen shrub is B. gagnepainii, evergreen, up to 1.8m (6 ft) in height, with an upright growth habit. Also May-flowering. B. x stenophylla has darker berries, and a more spreading habit. B. thunbergii has brilliant red autumn colours and the variety ‘Atropurpurea’ has purple leaves.

General care: Berberis are easy to look after, and are tolerant of poor soil conditions. Plant in March, and if using for screen or hedging set about 60 cm (2 ft) apart. B. aggregata needs a sunny site for good autumn leaf colour, but the rest will succeed anywhere. No pruning is needed, except for trimming of hedges.

Propagation: Berberis grow readily from seeds sown in spring in the open or from berries collected in autumn.

Pests and diseases: Normally trouble-free.

B. linearifolia, from Chile, is a moderately winter-hardy evergreen shrub, 1-3 m tall, with leaves 4-6 cm long, groups of 4-12 orangey-yellow flowers, 1.8 cm across, and black, oval fruits; “Orange King” is less winter-hardy, has leaves which are bluish-green on the underside, and larger, dark orange flowers and dark blue fruits; suitable for moist soil in full sunlight. B. x lologensis, a natural cross of B. linearifolia and B. darwinii, is a moderately winter-hardy, evergreen shrub, up to 3 m tall and wide. It has apricot-coloured flowers and black berries. B. x stenopbylla, a cross of B. empetrifolia and B. darwinii, is a winter-hardy, evergreen shrub, 2 m tall and almost 3 m wide, with elegant, arching branches, differently shaped leaves, clusters of 4-14 golden-yellow flowers and black fruits; “Crawley Gem” is 60 cm tall and flowers profusely with reddish-yellow clusters of flowers. B. thunbergii, from Japan, is a winter-hardy, deciduous, vigorously branching shrub, 1-1.5 m tall, usually with smooth-edged leaves, 3.5 cm long, and mostly single, pale yellow flowers, 0.6 cm across, and red fruits. It is suitable for hedges, even in infertile, dry soil in full sunlight; “Atropurpurea Nana” is a low, very broad, dwarf variety with beautifully coloured autumn foliage; “Aurea” is a low-growing shrub with yellow leaves (burns in full sunlight); “Rose Glow” has pink, variegated leaves.

More Information on How To Grow And Care For Berberis

Berberis, also known as barberry, is a versatile and resilient shrub that belongs to a large family of plants. This family includes both deciduous and evergreen species, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Deciduous varieties are primarily cultivated for their abundant crops of small scarlet or crimson berries, while evergreen species are prized for their yellow flowers and attractive foliage.

Barberries are well-suited for use as protective hedges or screens due to their spiny nature. They are hardy plants that can thrive in various soil conditions, making them easy to grow in almost any garden. Some recommended deciduous varieties include Buccaneer, known for its red berries, and thunbergii atropurpurea, which features striking beetroot-purple leaves. For larger spaces, consider jamesiana, an impressive bush with arching coral-red stems and berries that transition from coral to crimson.

Among the evergreen barberries, darwinii stands out with its small holly-like leaves, fragrant orange flowers in spring, and grape-purple berries. Stenophylla, with its sweet-scented yellow flowers and arching stems, is another excellent choice. There are also compact forms of Berberis stenophylla available, such as corallina with red buds that open to yellow flowers, and gracilis with yellow blooms, perfect for smaller gardens.

Maintenance of barberries includes removing dead wood during winter and pruning deciduous varieties to manage their growth. Evergreen varieties should be pruned after flowering. These trouble-free shrubs are known for their striking flowers and berries, and they can thrive in various locations, even without the protection of a wall.

In addition to their ornamental value, barberries have interesting species worth exploring. B. aggregata, for instance, produces yellow flowers in July and waxy red berries, accompanied by colorful autumn foliage. B. darwinii is a splendid evergreen species with tiny holly-like leaves, dark yellow or orange flowers, and light blue berries. It can be used as an attractive screen or hedge plant. B. thunbergii, a deciduous shrub, offers brilliant red autumn colors and is often used for hedges, even in infertile soil.

Overall, barberries are low-maintenance shrubs that can thrive in various conditions. Whether you’re looking for a berry-producing deciduous variety or an evergreen with vibrant flowers, barberries are an excellent choice for any garden.

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About The Author:

Rupert Foxton-Smythe

Horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast.

Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.

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