Berberis - Barberry
(Ber'beris)
DESCRIPTION: Berberis is a large group of hardy and tender, evergreen and deciduous, ornamental shrubs commonly known as Barberries. They grow wild in the Old and New Worlds and are especially concentrated in China. Some Barberries are grown for their pretty, fragrant, button-like blossoms, which range in color from light yellow to orange; some, especially the deciduous types, for the colors of their foliage, particularly in autumn; and some for their attractive clusters of red or bluish-black berries. Barberries are suitable for growing in industrial areas, cities, and along roads, because they will flourish even in polluted atmospheres. B. dictyophylla is an attractive deciduous shrub that grows up to 6 feet high. The new stems are red and covered with a white bloom and the leaves are white underneath. Pale yellow flowers are produced singly, in late spring. These are followed by large, red berries, which are also covered with a white bloom (powdery substance). B. darwinii is a handsome, medium-sized, evergreen plant with three-pointed, glossy, dark green leaves. Its vivid orange flowers are tinged with red and grow in pendant clusters, in the spring. B. thunbergii var. Atropurpurea is a gorgeous, small shrub that has deep reddish-purple foliage from spring through fall. The color intensifies as winter approaches. B. thunbergii var. Golden Ring is a small shrub that is covered with reddish-purple leaves that are edged with gold.
POTTING: Barberries can be grown in most well-drained soil; they will not survive ground that is waterlogged. It is better for the deciduous kinds to be grown in full sun, since it enhances their fall colors, though in areas with hot summers some shade would be beneficial. The evergreen types should be grown in dappled shade. Regular pruning isn't necessary, as these plants naturally grow into shapely bushes. However, if these plants outgrow their allotted spaces, they may be cut back when they've finished flowering. It should be noted that some Barberries are hosts to a rust disease that attacks wheat. In some areas of the U.S. and Canada it is illegal to grow them at all, or just those that carry the disease.
PROPAGATION: Seeds can be sown as soon as they are ripe or in early spring, in flats or pots filled with sandy soil in cold frames. When the plants are large enough to handle, they are picked out and grown in flats or singly in small pots and eventually transferred to a nursery border. Seeds may also be sown directly outdoors in a prepared bed in a shady location. Cuttings may be taken of special varieties that don't come true from seeds. Short shoots, 3 or 4 inches long, may be taken in July or August and inserted in a bed of sand or sand and peat moss, in a cold frame. After about 6 months they should have enough roots and can be transplanted. Suckers may also be detached from large plants and planted to form new bushes.
VARIETIES: B. antoniana; B. 'Bountiful'; B. bristolensis; B. 'Buccaneer'; B. buxifolia 'Nana'; B. cabrerae; B. calliantha; B. candidula; B. darwinii; B. dictyophylla & var. albicaulis; B. frikartii & var. Amstelveen, Telstar; B. gagnepainii; B. georgei; B. 'Goldilocks'; B. hypokerina; B. interposita & var. Wallich's Purple; B. irwinii & var. Corallina Compacta; B. julianae; B. linearifolia & var. Jewel, Orange King; B. lologensis & var. Apricot Queen, Mystery Fire, Stapehill; B. media & var. Parkjuweel, Red Jewel; B. ottawensis & var. Purpurea, Superba; B. panlanensis; B. 'Pirate King'; B. 'Rubrostilla'; B. sanguinea Panlanensis; B. sargentiana; B. sieboldii; B. stenophylla & var. Claret Cascade, Corallina Compacta, Crawley Gem, Cream Showers, Irwinii; B. temolaica; B. thunbergii & var. Atropurpurea, Atropurpurea Nana, Aurea, Bagatelle, Crimson Pygmy, Dart's Red Lady, Erecta, Golden Ring, Harlequin, Helmond Pillar, Kelleriis, Kobold, Pink Queen, Red Chief, Red Pillar, Rose Glow, Silver Beauty; B. tsangpoensis; B. valdiviana; B. veitchii; B. verruculosa; B. wilsoniae; B. yunnanensis.
Go see DICTIONARY OF BOTANICAL NAMES.
Back to our botanical home page.
