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BERBERIS
Commonly known as Barberry
Genus of about 450 evergreen and deciduous shrubs from all parts of the northern hemishere, northern and tropical Africa and South America differing widely in form and habit from dwarf species to large garden or hedging shrubs and usually with spiny branches or spine-tipped leaves.
Barberry fruit, rich in vitamin C was used in the past to make jellies, jams and pickles.
B. vulgaris is naturalised in the UK and was much-despised and destroyed in the 19th century as it is a secondary host of wheat rust.
It is being planted to safeguard the rare Barberry Carpet moth, its sole food plant.
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DeciduousEntire or few-spined leaves to 4.5cm (1¾in) long
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Yellow -
HeightTo 2m (6½ft) -
Spread3m (10ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in heightDistinctive shrub with solitary, small, pale yellow flowers on very short stalks followed by red fruit 1cm (½in) long with white bloom.
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F) -
Full sun -
Partial shade
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Additional Features
Good to knowCollected by Kingdon Ward in 1924
Pests & DiseasesAphids, powdery mildew
Place of originSoutheastern Tibet -
Garden Location/ConditionsBorderCoastal / windswept
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf margin
Entire(see photos above) -
Leaf shape
Oblong
(see photos above)
Obovate(see photos above) -
Pruning group
Pruning group 2Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs and trees that flower in Spring or early Summer on previous year's growth, including plants that produce new growth at or near ground level.
Pruning: Prune flowered shoots to strong buds. Cut back approximately 1/4 of old shoots to the base to promote replacement growth.
When: Annually, after flowering.
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummer
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Soil ConditionsTolerates allAny well-drained soil
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to 2m (6½ft)
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3m (10ft) |
_5488.jpg "CORNUS 'Venus'")
Buy Varieties of BERBERIS
BERBERIS darwinii
bright orange flowers
BERBERIS insignis
forms a dense clump of erect yellowish stems. Dense flower clusters followed by black berries
Gift-wrapping available
BERBERIS julianae
dense evergreen with spiny prickles and scented yellow flowers. A good hedging plant
BERBERIS linearifolia 'Orange King'
evergreen leaves and rich orange flowers
BERBERIS x lologensis 'Apricot Queen'
evergreen leaves and apricot orange flowers
BERBERIS x ottawensis 'Superba'
yellow flowers, purple foliage, strong grower
BERBERIS thunbergii
green leaves changing to orange-red in autumn. Suitable for hedges
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Admiration'
compact, low growing variety with lovely orange-red leaves with a yellow edge. Good orange autumn colour
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'
best purple foliage berberis
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Atropurpurea-nana'
dwarf purple berberis
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Aurea'
bright gold foliage
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Red Chief'
deep reddish purple leaves on bright red stems
BERBERIS thunbergii 'Rose Glow'
leaves of young shoots purple, mottled silvery pink and bright rose, becoming purple later
BERBERIS verruculosa
leaves are dark green on top and grey-white underneath. Golden yellow flowers in late spring.
Useful extras...
