Berberis

Family. Berberidaceae. 

Origin. The homeland of the plant is Asia.

Description. Berberis is an ornamental, dense, deciduous or evergreen, thorny shrub with numerous arched branches that grows from 60 cm to 2.5 m in height.

When grown in a mild climate, some species can remain evergreen, while the same bushes can completely lose their leaves when frost sets in.

The branches are brown, brown, sometimes zigzag, prickly.

The leaves are small (1.2–4 cm long), oval or wedge-shaped, green, bluish-green, dark red or purple.

Barberry blooms from mid-April to May. The flowers are pale yellow, about 0.6 cm in diameter, collected in inflorescences - umbrellas, each with 2–4 flowers. The inflorescences are evenly distributed along the entire length of the stem.

The fruits are bright red, spherical or elliptical berries about 1 cm long, ripening in late summer – autumn and remaining on the bush all winter. In autumn, the leaves acquire bright shades of red and orange. In winter, the leaves fall off.

Height.  Up to 2.5 m.

Planting and care in open ground

Planting in open ground is carried out both in the autumn months and in the spring, preferably in the evening hours.

If planting is carried out in the fall, the bushes should have time to take root well in a new place before the onset of serious frosts.

Spring planting is carried out early - before the leaves appear.

A well-lit or semi-shaded place without surface groundwater is suitable for growing barberry. Since the bush easily withstands even strong gusts of wind, you can choose an open area for it.

For keeping in open ground, individuals aged 2-3 years are selected.

The site is dug up and weeds are removed. If the soil is too acidic, then it is pre-sprinkled with slaked lime or watered with lime milk. Too heavy, clayey soils that can retain moisture should be additionally loosened by adding a sufficient amount of river sand.

The planting pattern will depend on the varietal characteristics (height of plants), as well as on the desired result. If you plan to plant single bushes, then leave a distance of 1.5 - 2 m between the holes, and when growing as a hedge, the seedlings are placed at a distance of 20 - 70 cm. - in one, two or even three rows.

The bushes can also be placed in a checkerboard pattern.

For planting, prepare holes about 40 cm wide and deep, at the bottom of which a drainage layer is laid in the form of fine gravel or expanded clay 7-8 cm thick.

Nutritious soil with a high content of organic matter in the form of humus, well-rotted manure or with the addition of mineral fertilizers, for example, superphosphate, is poured onto the drainage.

The root system is placed in the center of the hole and sprinkled with earth in a circle.

After planting, the soil is carefully compacted and abundantly watered.

It is advisable to mulch the base of the plant with mown grass, sawdust or fallen leaves. A layer of mulch will protect the substrate from too rapid evaporation of moisture and will delay the development of weeds.

After planting in the ground, the above-ground part is cut off, leaving only strong shoots with 3-5 buds on each.

Only young specimens will require regular watering, but over time, the barberry will become less demanding and will easily tolerate a slight drought.

Ongoing care will include weeding, pruning, fertilizing and loosening the soil.

Wintering

The real test for seedlings in a harsh climate will be their first winter outdoors. For 2-3 years after planting in open ground, the bush should be covered for the winter with a layer of fallen leaves, spruce branches or non-woven material.

Evergreen species are less frost-resistant.

Tall specimens are wrapped in non-woven material to their full height. Mature bushes over 5 years old can tolerate frosts without additional cover.

Barberries are uncovered in the spring, as soon as the snow melts on the site. After it becomes clear which branches have survived the winter well and which have suffered from frost, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing all weak and dried shoots.

Medicinal properties

The berries are considered the most useful - they have choleretic properties, have a mild laxative effect, stimulate the appetite, and serve as an antiseptic.

Barberry berries are also able to restrain the urge to vomit, and therefore they can be used for motion sickness and during pregnancy, when toxicosis begins. Eating fruits can improve the overall tone of the body and increase its resistance to various diseases.

Antioxidants contained in berry juice can slow down general aging and help remove various toxins.

For colds, they are used as an antipyretic and diaphoretic (for example, fruit drink is prepared from the berries of the bush - it can liquefy and remove phlegm from the body when coughing).

Tinctures of leaves can relieve internal bleeding and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Decoctions of flowers help normalize the work of the heart (in particular, they help fight palpitations) and can lower blood pressure.

It is believed that the plant also has analgesic, antispasmodic and antitumor effects. In addition to the beneficial properties, there are many contraindications, so you should consult a doctor before use.

In addition to traditional medicine, barberry has also found its application in cosmetology - it is believed that its juice can smooth out fine wrinkles and restore skin tone, promote hair growth and strengthening, and also eliminate dandruff.

Reproduction

Planting of seeds is carried out in spring, after keeping the planting material in a cool place with a temperature of 2 - 5 ° C for about 4 months.

You can use your own planting material for seed propagation. Seeds are collected from fully ripened berries in the fall.

To remove the pulp, the seeds are thoroughly washed with running water, soaked in warm water with the addition of growth hormones for about 1 hour and dried.

Unfortunately, specimens obtained from seeds often cannot boast of an attractive appearance and do not inherit varietal characteristics.

1. Sowing is carried out in loose nutrient soil.
2. The substrate is periodically moistened with a fine spray bottle.
3. The seeds are placed on the surface of the substrate and sprinkled on top with a layer of river sand or earth about 1 cm thick.
4. The container with the crops is placed in a warm place, inaccessible to direct sunlight, and covered with transparent glass or plastic to create a greenhouse effect.
5. The first planting in separate small pots is carried out when each bush can boast 2 - 3 true leaves.
6. The first flowering and fruiting occurs in plants obtained from seeds at the age of 3 - 6 years. 

Seeds can be planted in open ground in the fall - in this case, they will undergo a period of natural cool stratification in the winter months.

The sowing time should be such that the shoots do not have time to appear before the onset of winter.

Barberry also reproduces well by cuttings, but some varieties have difficulty rooting.

1. For propagation, well-ripened cuttings 7 - 10 cm long with a heel are selected. 
2. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings and growth hormones are used during rooting.
3. The upper leaves are cut to half their length to reduce moisture loss.
4. Rooting is carried out in the summer, using loose and well-moistened, nutritious soil.
5. If necessary, moisten the seedlings with water at room temperature from a spray bottle.
6. To maintain a high level of humidity, the cuttings are covered on top with a transparent cap - glass or plastic.
7. The seedlings are periodically ventilated by lifting the cap and removing any condensation that appears from it.
8. Young shoots and leaves should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
9. The covering is completely removed when signs of new growth appear on the cuttings.

Propagation is best accomplished by dividing adult plants, which is done during replanting in the spring.

For division, select specimens at least 3 years old, the root collar of which is located close to the soil surface and is not buried.

Make sure that each division has its own root system and green mass.

Division is carried out with sterile and sharpened pruning shears or a knife. The wound surface formed as a result of division is sprinkled with finely ground coal powder.

Root shoots often form at the base of adult bushes, which are separated from the mother plant in the warm season and planted separately.

Air layering can be used to propagate barberry.

1. Annual stems located close to the ground level are bent to the surface of the ground, pinned and lightly sprinkled with soil. You can also make several shallow cuts in the buried part first - roots will subsequently appear in them.
2. The tip of the shoot should remain above the soil surface.
3. During the entire rooting period, the soil near the air layer is kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
4. The successful completion of rooting can be judged by the appearance of new shoots and leaves.

From one layer you can get several young bushes at once, since roots appear in each buried leaf node. Air layering is completely separated from the mother plant in the fall or only next year - in spring or summer. 

Growing at home, pruning

Barberry needs pruning to maintain the compact shape of the bush. The first pruning is done at the age of one year, removing half or even 2/3 of the length of the shoots.

Low-growing species do not need formative pruning - only diseased branches are removed from such specimens.

With the help of formative pruning, you can give the bush almost any desired shape.

When pruning, at least 4 live buds should remain on each branch, otherwise this shoot may dry out after pruning.

If the plant is kept not only as a decorative foliage, but also flowering and fruiting, then pruning is carried out after fruiting. The fact is that flowers and berries appear on mature shoots that are 2 years old, and they should be left when pruning.

The tips of young shoots are regularly pinched to allow lateral branches to appear.

Remove old and diseased branches in a timely manner during sanitary pruning.

Pruning is done with a sharpened sterile tool - garden shears or secateurs. The bush easily tolerates pruning and quickly recovers after it.

Transplant 

Young bushes grown at home are replanted annually in the spring, gradually increasing the size of the pot with each replant. In this case, the need for replanting will be indicated by the tips of the roots appearing in the drainage holes of the pot. Adult specimens are replanted once every 2-3 years.

For growing barberry, choose pots with sufficiently large drainage holes.

Transshipment is preferable - in this case, the flower is transferred to a new container along with a lump of earth. When transshipping, the root system remains intact and the plant quickly adapts to new conditions and begins to grow.

Before planting, a drainage layer in the form of broken brick, expanded clay, clay shards or river pebbles is placed on the bottom of the pot.

When planting, the depth should be observed and the root collar should be placed at the same height as in the previous pot.

After transplantation, the soil is compacted to remove air pockets, the bush is watered generously and placed in a place protected from sunlight.

The first feeding is carried out 3-4 weeks after transplantation.

When it blooms 

Berberis blooms in May.

Feeding

During the period of active growth, feed the bush 2 times a month with complex fertilizers, during the dormant period, stop feeding.

Fertilizers are applied only after abundant watering, in moist soil.

Variegated varieties need more nutrients.

In the spring, feed with fertilizers containing an increased amount of nitrogen, during the budding period, switch to fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium.

Barberry responds well to both mineral and organic fertilizers.

In the autumn months, the frequency of fertilizer application and the content of nutrients in the solution are gradually reduced, and in winter, feeding is stopped completely.

Resume feeding in the spring, when the plants show the first signs of growth.

Do not feed sick or newly transplanted bushes - the fresh soil already contains enough nutrients.

Temperature

Even homemade berberis is quite frost-resistant - it can tolerate frosts down to -5 -7 ° C. In spring and summer, plants can be kept at normal room temperature ranging from 18 to 24 degrees.

In winter, a period of rest should be allowed with a decrease in temperature to 5 - 10 ° C.

Lighting

Bright lighting without direct sunlight.

Shoots and leaves can receive direct sunlight in spring and summer only in the morning and evening hours. On very hot days, they should be shaded from the scorching sun.

The most suitable for keeping at home will be eastern and western windows.

When growing on the south side, it is necessary to provide light shading.

The most sun-loving varieties are plants with burgundy leaves.

Soil 

An extremely unpretentious and at the same time extremely attractive species that tolerates any substrates with good drainage. Barberry grows and develops well in almost any soil - from nutrient-rich to poor sandy.

The bush also easily tolerates a fairly wide range of pH, although neutral substrates with a pH in the range from 6.0 to 7.0 will be the most optimal for its cultivation and maintenance.

You can prepare a mixture for maintenance yourself by taking any ready-made soil for decorative foliage plants in equal proportions and mixing with it a small amount of humus or well-rotted horse or cow manure, coarse river sand or perlite and vermiculite.

Adding small pieces of charcoal gives good results - it provides additional nutrition and helps to correct the acidic pH.

Watering 

Watering is moderate, adult barberry does not tolerate over-watering.

The frequency of watering will depend on the composition of the soil and the ambient temperature.

In spring and summer, watering should be abundant and regular. During the period of active growth and flowering, between waterings, it is worth drying the top layer of soil 3-5 cm thick.

In the autumn months, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, and in winter it should be kept in an almost dry substrate.

Excess moisture from the pan is drained a few minutes after watering.

Water well-settled water at room temperature under the root.

Spraying 

There are no special requirements, but periodically spray if the air in the room is too dry.

To increase humidity, you can also use a regular room humidifier or place any container with water next to the barberry.

It is also worth taking care of good air circulation around the bush.

Diseases and pests

Among the diseases, the shrub can suffer from powdery mildew, leaf spot, bacteriosis and rust. 

• Powdery mildew occurs when the plant is kept cool and damp, and when there is insufficient air movement around the plant.
• If there is insufficient light, the bushes stretch out and bloom less abundantly.
• Also, when grown in partial shade, the color of the leaves may become less bright.
• Direct sunlight on leaves with droplets of water can cause burns.
• Stagnation of moisture in the soil and constant excessive watering during the winter months can lead to rotting of the root system. 

Among the harmful insects that have taken a fancy to the leaves, there are aphids.

When grown in open ground, plants can be attacked by sawflies and moths.

Purpose

Even the most inexperienced gardener can cope with growing this bush - representatives of the genus are unpretentious and forgive many mistakes in care.

Barberry is very popular in landscape design. With the help of modern varieties, you can create garden compositions of a wide variety of colors. Various sizes and shapes of the bush allow you to fit it into almost any composition.

Barberry is an excellent honey plant, when grown in open ground, it attracts many insects.

Good resistance to air pollution makes it very popular in urban landscaping.

In the autumn months, the bush can decorate gardens with its brightly colored leaves in yellow, red or burgundy tones. Even after the leaves have fallen, the plant remains attractive thanks to its berries, which birds can enjoy until mid-winter.

With the help of dense plantings, you can encircle your plot along the perimeter - as a hedge, fairly tall varieties are usually used, which can be grown both without pruning (in this case, they will bloom and bear fruit abundantly), and periodically trimmed to give a beautiful geometric shape.

The fruits can be used in confectionery - jam, preserves, pastries. The sour taste of the berries will be a great addition to meat dishes.

The bark and root system are used to make yellow paint, which is used to dye fabrics and animal skin products.

Note

Berberis is a thorny shrub, so when working with it, protect your hands with thick gloves. 

The fruits are eaten raw and used in cooking, but caution should be exercised, as unripe berries are poisonous. Eating such berries can lead to poisoning, the symptoms of which are nausea and dizziness.

The berries are picked in the fall, after they are fully ripe, and for long-term storage they are frozen, dried, or sprinkled with sugar and rolled up in jars.

Varieties and types:

Berberis thunbergii

Decorative deciduous spreading shrub with a height of 90 to 180 cm. The plant has thin, abundantly branched, spiny stems, densely covered with small, oblong-oval leaves. Shades of leaf blades include dark green, burgundy, brown, purple, pink. The leaves grow up to 2 - 3 cm in length and have a glossy surface. During the flowering period, in the spring months, the plant forms small axillary inflorescences located under the branches. The flowers are small, attractive, yellow, and over time turn into oblong red berries. 

Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'

A spectacular spreading shrub with numerous thin stems and oval, reddish-purple leaves. In autumn the leaves turn red or orange. The flowers are small, pale yellow, appear in May. Shrubs of this variety retain a compact shape and reach a height of 45 - 60 cm. 

Berberis thunbergii Admiration

Compact decorative deciduous shrubs, the height of which can be 30 - 60 cm. Thin, flexible, highly branched stems form a rounded crown of the plant. The leaves are broadly lanceolate or oval. A distinctive feature of the variety are glossy leaf blades in shades of green, burgundy, purple or red. Each leaf blade has a thin light border along the edge. Young leaves that have just appeared are often colored in a brighter red hue. The flowers are yellow, collected in small inflorescences.

Berberis thunbergii Aurea

Shrubs 90 to 120 cm high, can have either a spreading form or form a large number of erect stems. The branches of the plant are equipped with sharp thorns. The leaves are oval, on short petioles, light green, almost yellow, reaching a length of 3-4 cm. In the autumn months, the plants turn orange or reddish. The flowers are pale yellow, collected in hanging racemes along the stems. The berries are glossy, oblong, bright red. 

Berberis thunbergii Bagatelle

A compact ornamental shrub with a height of 30 to 45 cm. Thin stems bearing sharp thorns branch to form a round crown. The plant develops slowly. The leaves are glossy, oblong-oval or broadly lanceolate, dark green, burgundy, purple. Young, just emerging leaves are colored reddish. During the autumn months the foliage turns red. The flowers are yellow, hidden in small drooping inflorescences under the stems. After flowering, the plant produces oblong red berries that remain on the bushes throughout the winter months. 

Berberis thunbergii Kobold

Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a very dense crown up to 80 cm high. Young leaves are painted in a bright green shade, adult leaves become glossy, dark green. During the autumn months the leaves turn yellow, sometimes with a hint of red. The flowers are pale yellow, collected in short drooping racemes under the stems, and bloom in spring. The berries are bright red, oblong. 

Berberis thunbergii Goldalita

Spectacular, decorative deciduous shrubs with abundant branching stems forming a dense crown. The leaves are ovate, 2 to 2.5 cm long, bright yellow. In the autumn months, the leaves turn greenish-yellow, and some leaf blades turn red. The flowers are yellow and bloom in early May; as the plant fades, it will form red berries. 

Berberis thunbergii Helmond Pillar

Slow-growing, tall shrubs that remain evergreen in warm climates, but lose their leaves when frost sets in. Erect, thin, spiny stems of plants can reach a height of 120 - 150 cm. The leaves are bright burgundy, purple, oval, on short petioles. In autumn, the leaf blades may turn reddish. The flowers are small, yellow, often go unnoticed under the leaves, and bloom in the spring months. The berries are bright red, oblong.

Berberis thunbergii Diabolicum

Spectacular, decorative deciduous, bright shrubs 90 - 120 cm high. Young leaves of these plants are often colored in a reddish tint, while mature leaves become light green. The narrow elliptical leaf blades of some shrubs have a bright burgundy edge along the edges. The flowers are yellow, in axillary drooping inflorescences. During the autumn months, the leaf blades turn yellow. The bright red berries that appear on the bushes in autumn contrast perfectly with the leaves.

Berberis × ottawensis

Tall spreading shrubs with a lush, dense crown, reaching a height of 1.5 to 2.5 m. The stems are abundantly branched, thin, and bear sharp thorns. The leaves are oblong - oval, glossy, dark green or purple in color, on short petioles. The large drooping racemes with attractive yellow flowers make the plant especially attractive. In the autumn months, the leaf blades take on a reddish hue. After flowering, fairly large oblong red berries appear on the bushes. 

Berberis ottawensis Superba

A spectacular deciduous shrub with thin branches covered with dark brown, almost black bark. The leaves are bright, burgundy, oblong, oval. In spring, the plant forms large clusters of bright yellow flowers that contrast well with the dark foliage. 

Berberis amurensis

Large deciduous shrubs, reaching a height of 2 - 3.5 m. The leaves are large, reaching a length of 5 - 6 cm, matte, green, oblong-oval. The edges of the leaf blades of the plant have small denticles. During the flowering period, which begins in spring, the shrubs adorn themselves with large, attractive, drooping tassels with white, pinkish or lemon-yellow flowers. In autumn, the foliage of the plants turns a reddish hue, and clusters of elongated, bright red berries appear under the stems. 

Berberis buxifolia

Slow-growing, compact shrubs about 50 cm high. The leaves are arranged alternately, oblong-oval in shape, on short petioles, bright green. The leaf blades reach a length of 1 to 2.5 cm. The thin stems of the plants have sharp thorns and are covered with a beautiful burgundy, glossy bark. Young leaves are colored light green. In the spring months, golden-orange, attractive, bright flowers appear on the bushes.