Berberis

The genus Berberis includes almost 500 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs up to 3 m high. Shoots are usually spiny. The leaves are still leathery, collected in tufts at the ends of short twigs. In autumn, deciduous species acquire a bright color. Flowers are usually yellow shades in elongated brushes at the ends of shoots, and they are very rare in solitary ones. Fruits are red or black berries, extremely decorative. Common Berberis (Berberis vulgaris) - a widespread species, often found in nature, grown as an ornamental. Leaves are oval, toothed. Bright red berries are collected in droopy brushes. Berberis licium (V. lycium) is a semi-evergreen species, it has bright yellow flowers, in the place of which magenta-colored berries covered with wax plaque appear. Narrow-leaved Berberis (Berberis x stenophylla) is a natural evergreen hybrid, with long curved branches, abundantly covered in April with golden yellow flowers in brushes, bright red berries form in their place. It is widespread in culture and is especially suitable for living hedges of Thunberg Berberis (V. thunbergii) - one of the most popular species. Deciduous, leaves light green on the upper side, bluish - on the lower, in autumn acquire a bright color. Yellow flowers bloom in large numbers, later they are replaced by decorative red fruits. There are many varieties and varieties, among them 'Dark Purple' with red leaves and 'Rose Glow' with purple leaves with a silver and bright pink pattern.

The genus Berberis includes almost 500 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs up to 3 m high. Shoots are usually spiny. The leaves are still leathery, collected in tufts at the ends of short twigs. In autumn, deciduous species acquire a bright color. Flowers are usually yellow shades in elongated brushes at the ends of shoots, and they are very rare in solitary ones. Fruits are red or black berries, extremely decorative.

Common Berberis (Berberis vulgaris) - a widespread species, often found in nature, grown as an ornamental. Leaves are oval, toothed. Bright red berries are collected in droopy brushes. Berberis licium (V. lycium) is a semi-evergreen species, it has bright yellow flowers, in the place of which magenta-colored berries covered with wax plaque appear. Narrow-leaved Berberis (Berberis x stenophylla) is a natural evergreen hybrid, with long curved branches, abundantly covered in April with golden yellow flowers in brushes, bright red berries form in their place.

It is widespread in culture and is especially suitable for living hedges of Thunberg Berberis (V. thunbergii) - one of the most popular species. Deciduous, leaves light green on the upper side, bluish - on the lower, in autumn acquire a bright color. Yellow flowers bloom in large numbers, later they are replaced by decorative red fruits. There are many varieties and varieties, among them 'Dark Purple' with red leaves and 'Rose Glow' with purple leaves with a silver and bright pink pattern.

Cultivation

Most often, Berberis is used in hedges, grown also in single plantings, and in small groups in curbs and flowerbeds. Dwarf species and varieties are often planted in rocky gardens. They can be spread on balconies and terraces - in flower beds and large containers. Deciduous species are planted permanently from October to March (in a mild climate); evergreen and more tender (for example, B. linearifolia) - in autumn or spring. Pruning is carried out with too thick growth, to "renew" a very old plant and when the culture is used in a hedge. Evergreen species cut off after flowering, deciduous - at the end of winter. Berberis is not necessary to soils, but many species do not tolerate over wetting. Granular mineral fertilizers are added in spring. Berberis well tolerates unfavorable conditions when growing in the city.

Most often, Berberis is used in hedges, grown also in single plantings, and in small groups in curbs and flowerbeds. Dwarf species and varieties are often planted in rocky gardens. They can be spread on balconies and terraces - in flower beds and large containers. Deciduous species are planted permanently from October to March (in a mild climate); evergreen and more tender (for example, B. linearifolia) - in autumn or spring.

Pruning is carried out with too thick growth, to "renew" a very old plant and when the culture is used in a hedge. Evergreen species cut off after flowering, deciduous - at the end of winter. Berberis is not necessary to soils, but many species do not tolerate over wetting. Granular mineral fertilizers are added in spring.

Berberis well tolerates unfavorable conditions when growing in the city.

Location

It is photophilous; suitable for both open sun and light shading.

Temperature

These are non-capricious plants that can easily tolerate even very low temperatures.

Watering

It is not required for adult plants, with the exception of those that have just been planted on the site and cultivated in flower beds.

Transplant

An operation to transplant into a new container of barberry grown in a flower tree is usually carried out in spring, if absolutely necessary, namely when the roots of the plant are no longer placed in the pot.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, piglets; in culture, more often by dividing a bush, green cuttings and seeds. Seeds are sown in October directly into open ground, but in this way it is almost impossible to obtain plants with the same properties as the mother. This problem is not present when propagated by cuttings - they are taken from side branches at the end of summer (August-September), placed in a mixture of sand and peat. After the appearance of roots, they are placed singly, and the next 1-2 years are occasionally placed in all large containers and then finally planted.

Diseases

Berberis are quite resistant to diseases of plants, but it should be avoided to plant them near crops of cereals, since Berberis is an intermediate host of the rust fungus Puccinia graminis, which infects cereals. Berberis have rooting, wilting and atracnoses (spots on the leaves), which they fight using fungicide treatment. With bacterial (uneven spots on the leaves and flabby twigs) and viral diseases (mosaic), the only thing that remains is to get rid of the sick plant.

Acquisition

Berberis is easy to find in specialized gardening centers and nurseries. They buy depending on the species in autumn or spring, immediately planting for a permanent place in the garden. Acquire plants that are well branched, making sure they are healthy.