Kariopteris - there is nothing simpler and more beautiful. Barberry: types and varieties How common barberry blooms

Many owners of home garden plots and summer cottages plant shrubs with high decorative properties. One of them is barberry. Planting and caring for this shrub is not particularly difficult. The article discusses how to properly plant an acquired plant, take care of it. Tips on propagating barberry and combating pests and diseases that affect it may also come in handy.

Varieties and varieties of barberry

Barberry is a spectacular ornamental plant with elongated fruits of bright red, yellow or white color. It is hardy, drought tolerant and hardy shrub with elliptical leaves of the most diverse colors: green, yellow, red, purple. The berries of the common barberry are edible and are widely used in cooking and medicine. They have a pleasant sour taste and are used to make compotes, kissels, jams, marshmallows, syrups, etc.

Due to the presence of many useful substances- malic, tartaric and citric acids, carotenoids, vitamins, mineral salts, fruits and leaves of the plant are used to make drugs:

• reducing blood pressure;
• having a bactericidal effect;
• preventing the development of lamblia in the human body;
• to stop bleeding;
• relieve fatigue;
• fight against psoriasis.

Exists three main varieties of barberry, each of which has many varieties:

1. Barberry ordinary reaching 3 m in height. The most popular varieties are Atropurpurea, Alba-variegata, Aureo-marginata, Notched, Large-spined.
2. Ottawa barberry. This species reaches 2-4 m in height, has very beautiful yellow flowers, pink-purple in summer and bright crimson leaves in autumn. Varieties Superba, Aurikoma, Silver Miles, Purple are widespread.
3. Barberry Thunberg. The height of the plant is 0.5-1.5 m. Rose Glow, Maria, Coronita, Harlequin, Red Chief, Aurea, Golden Ring varieties are very popular with gardeners, whose bright coral leaves bordered with a gold rim are very decorative, as seen in the photo .

There are also types of barberry, which, by their external features, resemble the common barberry:

• a hybrid of Provencal barberry, obtained by crossing an ordinary and Siberian plant species;
• growing in the Himalayas Spinous;
• barberries of Zimbold, James, Diels.

Planting barberry

In order for the seedlings to develop well, bloom profusely and bear fruit, it is important to carefully consider the choice of a place for planting and soil preparation. For barberry, soil with normal acidity is most suitable, if its pH is more than 7.0, it is recommended to add slaked lime before or during planting.

The optimal distance between the bushes for a single planting is 1.5 m, when creating a hedge - 0.5 m. Barberry does not tolerate stagnant water, so it should be planted in the highest places of the site and drain the soil by adding sand to improve the aeration of the root system of the plant.

Attention! Despite the endurance and unpretentiousness, the barberry is photophilous, when planted in the shade bright colors the colors of its leaves are fading, may fade decorative elements on the leaves, for which this plant is especially valued: spots, stripes and other patterns.

Boarding order:

1. A landing pit is being prepared with sides of 40 x 40 x 40 cm.
2. A small layer of sand is laid at the bottom of the pit, then a mixture of soddy soil with 8-10 kg of humus or compost. If organic fertilizers are absent, mineral ones can be used instead (200 g of superphosphate and 100 g of potassium sulfate). At high soil pH (high acidity), 400 g of lime or 200 g of wood ash.
3. The plant is placed in a pit, the free space is filled with the prepared earth mixture, watered abundantly, the surface is mulched with peat or compost. The root neck of the bush should be at the level of the soil surface.
4. The top of the plant is cut off leaving 3-5 strong buds at the bottom.

The best time for planting or transplanting it in the fall is from September 15 to October 15, in the spring - from the 20th of March to April 15. Plants that are purchased in a container can also be planted in the summer, choosing a non-hot day and protecting the first days from direct sunlight.

Seedling care

The main care operations for barberry bushes are:

• loosening the soil, facilitating the access of oxygen to the roots of the plant;
• watering in dry weather, weeding with weed removal;
• pruning of weak and diseased branches, the formation of a bush;
• top dressing.

In the first 2 years after planting, the seedling should be covered for the winter with burlap to protect it from the cold. Adult bushes quite easily tolerate negative temperatures. If the winter is severe and frost damages the branches, they are pruned with the onset of spring to healthy buds.

Barberry is a fast-growing shrub that is recommended to be trimmed regularly in spring or autumn. This will allow not only to remove the skeletal branches located in the central part of the bush, leading to its excessive thickening, but also to give a beautiful haircut with a haircut. decorative form. The first pruning is done a year after planting, removing half or two-thirds of the growth of the branch. The best time to trim your barberry hedge is June and August.

Attention! Some varieties of barberry have sharp spikes, so when caring for them, protect your hands with strong gloves. Regular watering (once every 4-7 days) is required only when the soil dries out in dry hot weather and newly planted plants.

Fertilizer and top dressing of barberry bushes

Barberry doesn't need too frequent feeding. The first feeding of the plant is carried out a year after planting, then every 3-4 years. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied (20-30 g of urea is dissolved in 10 liters of water per bush), in the fall - phosphorus, potash (15 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium salt per 1 plant), organic fertilizers. It is good to combine these preparations with trace elements.

In July, plants can be fertilized with the Kemira-universal complex preparation at a concentration of 15 g per 10 liters. Nitrogen fertilizers - ammonium nitrate, urea contribute to strong growth, the formation of leaves and stems of seedlings, potash and phosphorus provide abundant flowering and fruiting of bushes.

Reproduction of barberry

At propagating barberry seeds, they are separated from the stone, kept for 3-5 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Dried seeds are buried in the ground by 1-2 cm, with the advent of spring, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving a distance of 3 cm or more between them. After 2 years, seedlings can be transplanted to another place. When spring sowing seeds, they must first be stratified: mixed with sand and placed in the refrigerator for 2-5 months. The stratification temperature should be between 2-5 ºC. In order for the plants to bear fruit in a few years, several specimens must be placed side by side, as this is a cross-pollinated shrub.

cuttings produced in the morning in the middle of July. Preparation of cuttings consists in removing lower leaves, shortening 2 times the upper and placing for 3-5 hours in an aqueous solution of heteroauxin or other root former. After washing with water, the cuttings are planted in a greenhouse. The soil must be equal parts soddy land, humus and peat, to which a small amount of sand is added. Within two weeks, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated and the soil is moistened, and when the cuttings are fully rooted, the film is removed.

For breeding barberry layering in the spring, a powerful one-year-old shoot is selected in the lower part of the bush, bends down, fits and fastens in a small groove, which is covered with earth in such a way that only the upper part of the branch looks out from under the ground. By the end of the season, the layering will be able to take root, it is separated from the bush and transplanted.

Diseases and pests affecting barberry

The most dangerous insects for barberry are moth, aphids and sawflies. Signs of damage to the plant by aphids are drying and wrinkling of the leaves. The pest can be eliminated by spraying the bushes with soapy water (300 g of laundry soap is taken for 10 liters of water). Other pests can be destroyed with a 1-3% solution of chlorophos.

Also, barberry can be affected by fungal diseases, for example, powdery mildew, as seen in the photo, leaf spot, rust and other diseases. To destroy powdery mildew pathogens, the bush must be treated with 1% solution of colloidal sulfur, cut off diseased branches and burned. If the plant is affected by rust, it should be treated three times with 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid or colloidal sulfur once a week. In case of spotting disease, copper oxychloride (30-40 g per 10 l of water) is used twice before the flowers bloom and at the end of flowering. Plants affected by fungal wilt are treated with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid. If bacteriosis occurs, manifested by cracks and tumors on the stems, it is necessary to cut off the diseased shoot, capturing the healthy part of the plant and burn it, and spray the bush with Bordeaux liquid or its analogue.

Landing on personal plot barberry, you can get great pleasure from the amazing beauty of this plant, create beautiful compositions using its branches, densely strewn with fruits, as well as using berries for cooking many dishes and medicinal tinctures.

Barberry for the garden: video

Growing barberry: photo

Barberry is the main representative of the family of the same name. This showy shrub with beautiful leaves and prickly shoots. It is very difficult not to notice the barberry during flowering and fruiting, because at this time it is especially beautiful. In nature, there are about one hundred and seventy species of this plant, each of them has its own characteristics and distinctive features.

Species diversity of barberries

Many of us remember the same Barberry sweets, syrups and lemonades that were so popular during the Soviet era. All these products were made from berries of edible barberry species. Now many gardeners grow this unpretentious plant on their site. However, not all species take root in our latitudes, but only those that have managed to adapt to a temperate climate.

Bright berries of barberry are hard to miss among garden greenery.

The genus of barberries includes many species, among which there are both evergreen and deciduous plants. common feature of these shrubs is the presence of thorns - single, double, triple, and sometimes even five pieces together. They are located at the base of the kidneys, can be very hard or soft, almost invisible.

Barberry bushes bloom from late May to early July. Flowers yellow, small. The berries are light or dark red, sometimes black, with a pronounced sour taste, but quite edible.

Barberry plantations look very decorative throughout the season. Deciduous species are a real decoration autumn garden thanks to the bright color of the leaves and berries.

Barberry bushes adorn the garden throughout the season

Edible species

No one home garden does not do without fruit trees. Even the most lazy gardeners plant their plots with raspberries, apple trees, pears, but few people prefer such an unpretentious plant as barberry. In addition to nutritional value, it is also worth noting its healing and decorative properties.

The common barberry is most common in the Caucasus and southern Europe, but it can also grow in Siberia. Shrubs of this species are resistant to frost, can withstand temperatures up to -35 degrees. The main condition for growing is the placement of plants in sunny and dry areas. Planting in the shade negatively affects the taste and quantity of fruits.

Common barberry is one of the most common members of the family, which is characterized by unpretentiousness and high frost resistance.

The common barberry has a lot of varieties, namely:

Recipe for barberry syrup. To prepare, you need to mash the berries with the addition of water, then squeeze out the juice. After that, the liquid must be brought to a boil, passed through the filter and add granulated sugar.

Video: characteristics and useful properties of barberry

Plants of this species are shrubs reaching a height of up to 3.5 m. The shoots have spines up to 2 cm long. Depending on the season, the color of the leaves may change, acquiring a reddish tint in autumn. In spring, small yellow flowers appear on the bushes, which have pleasant aroma. In November, the flowers are replaced by bright red fruits.

Amur barberry is different abundant flowering and fruiting

This species is best known for two varieties:

• Japonica - characterized by more rounded leaves and a small number of flowers on the brushes.
• Orpheus is a non-flowering variety bred by Russian breeders solely for decorative purposes. Bush height - 1 m.

This type of barberry grows in Central Asia, Mongolia and China. It is its fruits that are part of traditional Asian dishes, such as lagman, shurpa and pilaf. The shrub can reach up to two meters in height. Brilliant reddish shoots are covered with spectacular dark green leaves in spring. Blooming in early June, yellow-orange inflorescences have a pronounced aroma. The fruits are painted black, covered with a bluish coating on top.

The spherical barberry is not very adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia. If you decide to plant this shrub in your garden, make sure you have a good shelter.

The fruits of the spherical barberry have excellent taste qualities.

The ripening time of barberry fruits depends on its type. Usually the harvest is taken from September to early November.

Evergreen species of barberry

Evergreen barberries include shrubs of different types that differ from each other:

• bush shape;
• frost resistance;
• cultivation features;
• resistance to the conditions of the urban environment.

A living fence of evergreen barberry abounds with thorns, but at the same time it is incredibly beautiful

This species grows rather slowly. maximum height an adult bush reaches 2 m. Most often it is grown for decorative purposes. Darwin's barberry has bright orange yellow flowers, in place of which black fruits with a bluish tint appear in autumn. The leaves of the shrub are quite elegant, shiny, with small spines at the ends.

Darwin's barberry has an average winter hardiness, can withstand temperatures down to minus fifteen degrees. The shrub is recommended for cultivation in the southern regions of our country.

Bright orange-yellow flowers of Darwin's barberry delight the eye in any weather

You can trim the barberry shoots a little after flowering. This will give the bushes a neater and more beautiful appearance.

Barberry Freecarta

This garden hybrid is obtained from the warty barberry. The flowering period of this species is in May. Its flowers are pale yellow, the leaves are light green, shiny. The berries are inedible, blue-black.

The species is quite resistant to low temperatures(up to -23 degrees), but recommended for growing in warm climates. Prefers sunny or semi-shady places.

Barberry Frikarta is represented by two decorative varieties:

• Amstelveen - grows up to one meter in height and up to two meters in width. Shoots are prickly, arched.
• Telstar is a slow growing shrub reaching 90 cm in circumference. The crown is dense, the leaves have a silvery underside.

Amstelveen barberry has a very compact shape

Barberry Ganyepena

Barberry Ganyepena grows slowly, at the age of 10 it can reach up to two meters in height and in diameter. The plant forms oblong shoots with thorns, having a length of about two centimeters. In May, yellow flowers bloom on the branches, which can be either single or collected in inflorescences. In early autumn, they are replaced by blue-black berries covered with white bloom. The fruits are not edible.

The most popular variety of this species is Klugowski. It was bred in 1960 by Alfons Klugowski in the Flain nursery (Germany). The variety is unpretentious, resistant to both high and low temperatures, as well as to the conditions of the urban environment. Does not like excessive moisture.

The dark green leaves of the Klugowski variety have serrated edges.

A slow-growing shrub, which at the age of 10 can reach up to two meters in length and up to four in width. The leaves of Julian's barberry reach 10 centimeters, have needles at the ends. The color of the leaves is dark green, at a young age - with a bronze tint. Flowering occurs in mid-May or early June. The flowers are collected in brushes of 8-15 pieces, painted yellow with a red frame. At the end of September, black-blue fruits ripen on the bushes.

Barberry Juliana is resistant to temperature extremes, as well as to urban conditions. Prefers a sunny area. Shrubs of this species are highly decorative, they are often used for landscaping areas.

The edges of the leaves of Juliana's barberry are protected by small but very prickly needles.

Dwarf barberries

The greatest value for landscaping are dwarf varieties of barberry Thunberg. They are great for borders and low hedges. Usually barberries are combined with conifers, however, the bushes look amazing alone.

Decorative deciduous varieties

Undersized Thunberg barberries can have different leaf colors - from pale yellow to burgundy. The following varieties are most popular:

• Bagatelle. A beautiful dwarf shrub that does not exceed 40 cm in both height and diameter. Small leaves, painted with a bright purple color, reach a length of up to 1 cm. The flowers have a delicate yellow color and grow in bunches. At the end of September, edible red berries of an oblong shape ripen on the bushes. The bagatelle is subject to freezing in winter time but fairly heat resistant. The plant is unpretentious, but it needs good lighting.

  

  Barberry Thunberg Bagatelle stands out against the general background due to the crimson color of the leaves

• Kobold. The size of an adult bush does not exceed 50 cm. Small emerald leaves (no more than 1.5 cm long) turn bright yellow in autumn. Kobold blooms in May. Yellow flowers with a red rim do not exceed 1 cm in length. They are replaced in September by pink or red fruits that can be eaten. The shrub is completely undemanding to habitat conditions. Resistant to heat, frost-resistant, tolerates urban conditions. Likes to be in the sun, but also tolerates shade and partial shade.

  

  Small exquisite bushes of barberry Kobold are often used for landscaping city parks.

• Bonanza Gold. An incredibly beautiful plant with a very dense cushion-shaped crown. This small but exquisite shrub reaches a height of up to 50 cm, and a width of no more than 70. The leaves of the shrub are very small, have a bright lemon tint. The flowers, like the leaves, are yellow. In September, instead of bright flowers, edible red fruits appear. Barberry Bonanza Gold is drought and heat resistant, but in winter it can be subject to freezing, which is why it loses part of the crown. The shrub of this variety recovers very quickly and by the beginning of June takes on its former appearance.

  

  Even in bad weather, the barberry Bonanza Gold looks like it is illuminated by the sun

• Atropurpurea Nana. It is a low-growing shrub with a wide-rounded crown. The leaves have purple color, which changes to fiery red in autumn. This variety of barberry blooms from May to June. The flowers are small, painted in light yellow. Closer to September, bright red oblong berries appear on the bushes. Atropurpurea Nana prefers well-lit places, however, shady areas do not have problems with growth. The variety is quite resistant to heat and cold, does not like stagnation of moisture in the soil.

  

  The purple color of the leaves of the barberry Atropurpurea Nana with the advent of autumn turns into fiery red

Video: popular varieties of barberry

The best variegated varieties

During recent decades breeders bred decorative varieties of Thunberg barberry with brightly colored foliage of several colors: lemon, purple, red. Such shrubs can become a real decoration of any garden.

Among the variegated varieties of Thunberg barberry, the most decorative are:

Video: variegated forms of barberry Thunberg

Fast growing barberries

The fastest growing varieties of barberry also belong to the Thunberg species. They have a number of distinguishing features:

• An adult plant can reach three meters in height.
• The branches and trunk of shrubs are covered with thorns up to 1 cm long.
• The leaves are small, oblong, 1–3 cm long. The foliage turns red in autumn and falls off in winter.
• Flowering lasts from one to two weeks. Flowers have a yellow center, their outer side is red.
• They bear fruit annually and are very abundant. Berries reach 10 mm in length, have an elliptical shape.
• Ripe fruits of bright coral color appear on the shrub in mid-autumn and for a long time hanging on the branches.

Photo gallery: the fastest growing varieties of barberry Thunberg

Barberry Thunberg Maria is a bright green shrub with an upright habit.
The brown-red barberry of Thunberg Red Chief can reach a height of up to 4 meters. The bush of Erekta barberry has an unusual columnar shape

Varieties of barberry for the Moscow region

The main criterion for choosing varieties and types of barberry for the Moscow region is their resistance to frost and urban conditions. The most popular species in this region are:

• barberry ottawa;
• common barberry;
• barberry Thunberg.

Let's take a closer look at the individual representatives of each species.

Alba variegata - variety of common barberry. The leaves of this shrub are distinguished by unusual white spots. Barberry Alba variegata reaches up to 1.5 m in height. It is unpretentious, frost-resistant, tolerates heat well, does not like stagnant moisture. It is preferable to place the shrub in a sunny place.

Barberry Alba variegata has beautiful green leaves with white spots.

Barberry Ottawa Superba

Barberry Superba can reach a height of up to 3 meters. The leaves of this shrub have a purple hue. The flowers are yellow with a red border around the edges, bloom in May. In June, bright red berries appear on the bushes, which can be eaten. The variety is frost-resistant, undemanding to the soil and the environment.

Ottawa barberry Superba with a purple tint of leaves retains its bright color even in the shade

This variety of barberry is quite low (up to 1m), with a flat-rounded crown. The leaves have a dark purple color, sometimes with purple tint. The shrub blooms in May. Its flowers are small and yellow. Closer to autumn, bright red oblong berries appear on the bushes.

Atropurupurea prefers sunny and bright places, but can tolerate shading. Resistant to heat and cold, does not like stagnant moisture.

Barberry Atropurpurea can be used as a bright color accent in garden arrangements

Types of barberry for Siberia

Siberia has a rather cold climate and a long frosty period. In such conditions, only some types of barberry can grow well, such as:

Video: useful properties and use of Siberian barberry

Barberry is a thorny perennial shrub from the Barberry family that bears bright red berries. It is grown as a medicinal, ornamental and honey plant. The berries of this plant (some species) are used to make caramel, jelly, juice, jam and seasoning.

plant description

Under natural conditions, it occurs most often in the Northern Hemisphere. On average, bushes grow up to two meters. The bush has simple toothed leaves and spiny shoots. The plant begins to bear fruit from the third year after planting. Up to 10 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. The plant is known for its numerous useful properties: the berries contain a lot of vitamin C, the leaves contain malic acid, vitamins C, E. Oil is obtained from the seeds. The roots and bark are used as a dye yellow color.

Barberry: types and varieties

In nature, there are about five hundred species of this shrub - deciduous and evergreen specimens. Forty-five of them are cultivated in many countries. In our country it is used in landscape design barberry. Edible varieties belong to two types - Amur and ordinary.

Barberry ordinary

Shrubs of this species grow up to 2.5 m. They have thorny shoots, dark yellow in color, which diverge from the stem into different sides, forming arcs. Leaves are dark green in color Bottom part has a gray tint. Plants bloom in May-June. Inflorescences are drooping, racemose, fragrant yellow brushes.

This barberry bears fruit in autumn, with oblong, very beautiful berries that have a sour taste. Their size is 1.2 cm. Due to the fact that the berries do not fall off for a long time, the bushes retain their decorative effect for a long time. common barberry- frost- and which also tolerates air pollution well.

This species must be planted in a well-lit area, but it can also grow well in partial shade. It is undemanding to soils, but develops better on light and non-acidic soils. this species barberry. Varieties, photos of its species are presented below.

The three most popular varieties are:

• Atropurpuria- shrub with yellow flowers and berries (edible) The leaves are reddish-lilac in color, provided that the plant is well lit. The variety tolerates temperature extremes well; when propagated by seeds, it does not always inherit a beautiful shade of leaves.
• Albovarigata- undersized variety that grows not more than a meter in height. The foliage is dark green with streaks.
• Aureomarginata- a special variety, with variegated leaves. In the shade, the color intensity may be lost, the culture is photophilous.

The common barberry has one significant disadvantage- in a wet and cold summer period, the plant is often affected by fungal diseases: powdery mildew, rust, etc. In landscape design, it is used in group and single plantings, to create hedges.

Amur barberry

This is a very large variety. under favorable conditions, it grows up to three and a half meters. Bushes have a wide spreading crown and large foliage (up to 8 cm in length). It changes color several times during the year: emerald green in spring, bright yellow or red in autumn.

This species bears fruit in autumn. Bright red oblong and shiny berries with a diameter of one centimeter appear on the bushes. Amur barberry is resistant to fusarium and rust. It is often used for growing living, and rather tall, hedges. The most popular varieties of this species are Orpheus, which is a compact, non-flowering bush (no more than a meter in height), and Japonica, which attracts summer residents with long yellow brush-shaped inflorescences and wide leaves.

Canadian barberry

It is a tall and spreading shrub that grows up to 2.5 meters in height and up to 1.8 meters in diameter. The plant has dark red or brown shoots, small leaves (about three centimeters) oval. In mid-May, it blooms for a week with beautiful yellow inflorescences.

Plentiful fruiting, the length of which does not exceed 0.9 cm. The fruits ripen at the end of September. This species loves more than others sunny areas, in the shade quickly loses its decorative effect. Undemanding to the composition of the soil, frost-resistant and easily tolerates drought. The most popular varieties are Deklinata, Rederiana, Oxyfilla.

Korean barberry

Barberry varieties of this species came to us from the Korean Peninsula. Bushes grow up to two meters. The leaves are painted in a beautiful red color. fragrant flowers collected in brushes of fifteen pieces. The berries are quite small, rounded, not exceeding one centimeter in diameter.

This species is distinguished not only by high drought resistance, it perfectly tolerates a sharp short-term decrease in air temperature.

Monetary barberry

Heat-loving deciduous plant. Young plants often freeze slightly and recover for a long time after that. Bushes have a spreading crown. The plant does not grow more than two meters in height. The shoots are covered with large spines (up to 3 cm). The branches are painted dark red. Barberry varieties of this species bloom with bright yellow flowers from late June to mid-July.

Fruiting occurs in the second decade of September. Brilliant bright red fruits are not large - no more than one centimeter in diameter. This species does not tolerate excessive moisture at all - with stagnant water root system rots and rots. Subject to rust damage.

Ottawa barberry

This hybrid form Atropurpurea barberry crossed with Thunberg barberry. Bushes grow up to two meters. It features unusual purple foliage that turns red in early autumn. This species blooms in late May with yellow racemose inflorescences.

In care, this species is unpretentious. It tolerates winter well without shelter. Resistant to major diseases shrub plants. IN decorative culture The following varieties are most commonly used:

• Purpurea with scarlet leaves.
• Superba, with dark red almost burgundy leaves.
• Auricoma, with bright red foliage.
• Silver Miles having dark leaves covered with silver pattern.

Siberian barberry

As the name suggests, this species is native to Eastern and Western Siberia, Middle East and Kazakhstan. The bushes are small - no more than a meter in height. Barberry varieties of this species enter fruiting and flowering only at the age of six.

Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts twelve days. Red oblong fruits appear in August. The Siberian barberry belongs to species with average winter hardiness. Due to its low decorativeness in culture, especially in our country, it is almost never used.

Barberry Thunberg: varieties, description

This variety is characterized by a small height. Under natural conditions, it grows in China and Japan. This species is recognized as the most decorative. The shoots of the bushes are densely branched, sprawling. One of the advantages of the Thunberg barberry variety is the variety of colors. They are brown, red, yellowish.

The fruits of barberry varieties of Thunberg are not eaten. And not because they are poisonous, but because they are quite bitter. Low-growing varieties of Thunberg barberry do not grow above one meter. In diameter, the bushes are sprawling (up to one and a half meters). Young branches covered with large spines are yellow. Later they become red-brown or brown.

Depending on the season, the leaves also change their color, which in this species are rather small (no more than 3 cm). In spring they are bright green, in autumn they acquire a noble burgundy color. Thunberg varieties bloom at the end of May with yellow-red inflorescences. It bears fruit in autumn, and the berries can remain on the bushes throughout the winter, which significantly increases their decorative characteristics.

This species has many very interesting varieties (about 50). Among them:

• Barberry dwarf variety A Bonanza Gold attracts landscape designers with a small height (up to 50 cm) and golden yellow leaves.
• Golden Rocket- differs in an unusual columnar shape of the crown, golden leaves. The plant has many advantages: winter, wind and drought resistance, shade tolerance, rapid acclimatization in urban environments.
• Barberry yellow varieties Thunberg Aurea quite compact (up to 0.8 m). Due to the rich yellow color of the shoots, flowers and leaves, it looks very impressive in group plantings in combination with other varieties.
• Atropurpurea- a shrub up to one and a half meters high, having purple-red leaves, yellow flowers with red stains.
• Bagatelle- small bushes, no more than 40 cm high. They have a flat spherical crown shape, brown leaves, which turn bright red by autumn. The variety is not winter hardy.
• Atropurpurea Nana- a dwarf variety with a rounded and flat crown, 50 cm high. It is especially beautiful during flowering, when the bush is strewn with two-color red-yellow flowers. They gather five buds in inflorescences.

• Coronite- Another dwarf variety with a spherical crown. The leaves of this plant are green with a yellow border.

It is impossible not to mention the variegated varieties: Harlequin, Kelleris, Rose Glow, Kornik.

yellow varieties

Despite the fact that most barberry berries are brilliant red, there are exceptions. For example, the varieties Lutea and Alba. Lyuteya is a variety of common barberry. Deciduous shrub up to 2 meters high. The shoots of the plant are painted in rich yellow. Quite long (up to six centimeters) leaves are painted in salad color with a red border. Twenty flowers are combined into brushes. Ripe fruits about a centimeter long are pale yellow in color. We have already talked about barberry varieties with yellow leaves and shoots.

In conclusion, it should be acknowledged that best grade barberry is almost impossible. Choosing the right plant for you largely depends on how you intend to use it (food use, landscaping). In addition, the climate of your area should be taken into account, as not all varieties can withstand cold winters.

About 500 species of barberry grow in nature, the main representative of the barberry family. (Berberidaceae). These are ornamental shrubs with elegant leaves, prickly shoots, spectacular in the period lush flowering and abundant fruit. Their dense root system is able to strengthen steep slopes, and the bark and roots are used in medicinal purposes. In a wide culture, only resistant species are most often found, which are distinguished by a large number of elegant varieties.

Barberry ordinary ( Berberisvulgaris) in nature grows in the forest-steppe zone of Russia, as well as in the Crimea and the Caucasus, among shrubs, on forest edges and along the slopes of ravines. thorn bush about 2.5 m high with yellowish-brown shoots, arcuately diverging from the base of the bush. The spines are three-parted, up to 2 cm long. The leaves are dark green, grayish-green below, ovate with a finely serrated edge, sitting in small bunches on shortened shoots. In May-June, drooping brushes bloom on the bush with shiny yellow honey-bearing flowers that emit a pleasant aroma. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow, and clusters of bright red juicy fruits hang on the bush for a long time. Fruits up to 1.2 cm long, sour, pleasantly refreshing taste are quite edible.

The common barberry is unpretentious in culture, has good winter hardiness, resistance to drought and dustiness of the air. It is undemanding to soil conditions, although it prefers light and calcareous soils. The shrub tolerates slight shading, but abundant fruiting is possible in an open sunny area. It is easily restored when pruning and gives large increments. Propagated by cuttings, division of the bush and seeds. It is used to create an impenetrable hedge, group and solitary plantings. Its main drawback is susceptibility to fungal diseases: rust and powdery mildew, which are more common in damp, cold summers.

The red-leaved form is very popular with the common barberry. ‘ Atropurpurea’ (Atropurpurea). The height of the bush is up to 2 m, the leaves are dark purple, the flowers are orange-yellow, the fruits are dark red. During seed propagation, part of the seedlings of this form retains varietal characteristics. Much less common is the variegated form ‘ Albovariegata'(Albovariegata) - low bush (less than 1 m), dark green leaves with white strokes and stains. Wu ‘ Aureomarginata’ (Aureomarginata) dark green leaves with a golden border and spots. For these forms, sunny areas are needed, since when low light the intensity of the purple and variegated color of the leaves decreases. Form ' Serrata’ (Serrata) - with deeply serrated leaves, ‘ Sulcata' (Sulkata) - with strongly ribbed shoots, ' Alba' (Alba) - with white fruits, ' Lutea’ (Luteya) - with yellow fruits. ‘ Macrocarpa' (Macrocarpa) has larger fruits, at ' Asperma’ (Asperma) fruits without seeds.

(Berberisamurensis) grows in Primorye, Japan and China on rocky soil along the banks of mountain rivers, among bushes and on the edges of forests. In its external appearance, there is much in common with the common barberry. Tall spreading bush up to 3.5 m tall. Young shoots are yellowish-gray, with tripartite spines about 2 cm long. The leaves are shiny and rather large, up to 5-8 cm long, obovate, with small teeth along the edge. In spring, the leaves are bright green, in autumn they are yellow or red. The bushes bloom in late May and are strewn with long racemose inflorescences (up to 10 cm long) with 10-25 yellow fragrant flowers. Brilliant red fruits (up to 1 cm in diameter) are edible, have a sour taste, and hang on the bush for a long time.

Amur barberry is unpretentious and winter-hardy, withstands drought and intense heat. It is not demanding on the soil, it grows well in a lighted place. Propagated by seeds, cuttings, root offspring and layering. Most resistant to powdery mildew, less to rust and Fusarium. Suitable for high hedges, single and group plantings. In culture, the garden form is known ‘ Japonica’ (Japanica) with broad leaves rounded at the apex and short racemes with 6-12 yellow flowers and domestic cultivar Orpheus, characterized by a low bush (about 1 m), compact crown, light green leaves, lack of flowering.

Canadian barberry(Berberiscanadensis) is native to eastern North America, where it is found in river valleys, steep banks, high hills and cliffs. Tall spreading shrub up to 2.5 m tall with brown and dark purple shoots, also similar to common barberry. The spines are tripartite, up to 1.2 cm long. The leaves are oblong-oval, 2-5 cm long. It blooms with yellow racemose inflorescences from late May to early June. The fruits are bright red, elongated-elliptical, up to 9 mm long. It bears fruit every year and is always abundant.

Canadian barberry is also distinguished by good winter hardiness and undemanding in the soil. Light-loving and drought-resistant. The growths are large, it quickly recovers after pruning. Propagated by summer cuttings and seeds. Suitable for landscaping, but rarely bred in Russia. In America, since 1730, ornamental forms have been cultivated, possibly of hybrid origin - ‘ Declinata’ (Deklinata) with yellowish-violet shoots and crimson-red fruits; ‘ Oxyphylla’ (Oxyphylla) with pointed, finely serrated leaves; ‘ rehderiana’ (Rederiana) with thin red-brown shoots, oval leaves 2-3 cm long, rounded bright red fruits.

Barberry Thunberg ( Berberis thunbergii) originates from Japan and China, where it grows on mountain slopes. small shrub up to 1 m high, with dense and sprawling shoots, up to 1.5 m in diameter. Shoots at a young age are yellowish, later brown and purple-brown, densely covered with thin spines (1 cm long). The leaves are small (1-3 cm long), obovate, bright green, bright red or purple in autumn. Flowering is annual, from late May to early June. Reddish-yellow flowers are collected in inflorescences (2-4). Coral-red fruits can hang on the bush all winter. The fruits are unsuitable for food because of the bitter taste, as they are saturated with alkaloids and tannins, but birds are willing to feed on them.

Thunberg's barberry is drought tolerant, undemanding to the soil, unlike the common barberry, it is almost not affected by rust and powdery mildew. In severe winters, non-lignified shoots located above the snow level can freeze. Easily tolerates a haircut, grows quickly. Propagated by cuttings, division of the bush and seeds. The Thunberg barberry has more than 50 interesting varieties that differ in foliage color, shape, size and winter hardiness.

• "Aurea"(Aurea) has a rounded crown about 0.8 m high and yellowish-green shoots. In summer, the color of the leaves is yellow or lemon yellow, but in shady places it is light green. In autumn, the leaves are yellowish-orange. Flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, inside yellow, reddish on the outside, collected in racemes of 2-5 pieces.Fruits are bright red, shiny.Slightly freezes, recovers well, but growth is small.The first 2-3 years, shelter is required.Somewhat similar, little-known variety ' Maria’ (Maria) - with bright yellow leaves and a narrow dark red edging, in strong sun their color almost does not fade.
  

• Bonanza Gold(Bonanza Gold), synonym ‘ Bogozam'(Vogozam) - miniature variety with golden foliage. The crown is dense, cushion-shaped, a bush 30-50 cm high and 70 cm in diameter. The color of the leaves is lemon-golden, it burns out in strong sun. Flowering and fruiting is annual, the fruits are bright red. It hibernates only under snow, above the level of snow it can freeze.

• ‘Atropurpurea’ (Atropurpurea) - common variety, bush 1.5 m tall. The leaves are purplish red all season, turning bright carmine in autumn. The flowers are yellow, with reddish stains on the outside. The fruits are red. During seed propagation, varietal characteristics are not preserved. It looks like a variety ‘ Carmen'(Carmen) with drooping branches and glossy red-brown leaves.

• ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ (Atropurpurea Nana) - a popular undersized Dutch variety with a flat-round crown 0.4-0.6 m high, about 1 m wide. The leaves are dark purple, scarlet-red in autumn. Flowers up to 1 cm in diameter, yellow inside, red outside, collected in brushes of 2-5 pieces. The fruits are shiny, bright red. Look like him " Crimson Pygmy’ (Crimson Pigmy) - an American variety with a cushion crown, " Kleiner Favorite" (Kleiner Favorite) - German undersized variety, ‘ Minima' (Minima) - a Polish variety 40 cm high with a rich dark purple color of the leaves and an American variety " Little Favorite" (Little Favorite).

• ‘Bagatelle’(Bagatelle)- a Dutch variety with a rich dark color of the leaves, obtained from varieties ‘ Atropurpurea Nana' And ' Kobold'. The crown is densely branched and flat-spherical, the height of the bush is 0.4 m. The leaves are small, ovate, brown-red, in the bright sun they become almost black-brown, in autumn they become bright red. It freezes over in winter, needs annual shelter, shoots grow weakly.

• ‘ Red Chief’ (Red Chief) - with narrow dark red leaves. The bush is large, height and diameter is more than 2.5 m, the crown is widely spreading. Mature shoots are red-brown. The color of young shoots and leaves is bright purple, at the base of the shoot is purple-brown, almost black. The leaves are lanceolate and obovate, about 3 cm long. The flowers are yellow, the fruits are pink and red. The variety is thermophilic, annual shoots freeze slightly.

• " Golden ring" (Golden Ring) - an original variety with a rounded crown, 1.5 m high. The leaves are ovate, dark purple in color with even light green edging, red in autumn. Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 2-5 pieces. Brilliant red-coral fruits hang on the bush for a long time. Needs winter shelter. Similar variety ‘ Coronita'(Coronita) - with smaller pointed leaves of the same color.

• ‘Admiration'(Edmiration) also with a thin green border on a dark brown sheet.

• ‘ Dart" s Red Lady’ (Darts Red Lady) - a variety with a red-leaved spherical crown. The height of the bush is 0.8 m. Young shiny leaves are bright scarlet in color, and adult leaves at the base of the bush are red-brown. Leaves are yellow in autumn. The variety freezes a lot, be sure to cover it, and organic top dressing is required in the spring. Similar variety 'Dart's Purple'(Darts Pepple) with brownish-red leaves, a bush up to 1 m high. In a red-leaved variety ‘ Red King’ (Red King) crown compact, height 0.8 m.

• ‘ Helmont Pillar’ (Helmont Pillar) - a red-leaved variety with a columnar crown, about 1.3 m high. Leaves round shape, young are concentrated along the periphery of the bush, pink-red, and adults are red, in the lower tier closer to the base of the bush, the leaves are yellowish-green with a rich purple coating. Similar varieties ‘ Red Pillar’ (Red Pillar) with dark reddish purple leaves and ‘ Red Rocket'(Red Rocket) with red-brown leaves.

• ‘Rose Glow’ (Rose Glow) - a variety with a mosaic leaf color, up to 1.5-1.7 m high with an ovoid crown and straight prickly shoots. Young leaves are bright purple, with marbled bronze-red and pink-gray stains, adult leaves are dark pink and red-purple, with grayish splashes and spots. The degree of color depends on the illumination of the bush. The yellow flowers stand out against the foliage. Needs shelter, growths of 10-15 cm per year. Similar varieties " Ida"(Ida) and Rosetta(Rosetta) with pink stains and spots on burgundy leaves.

• ‘Kelleriis’(Kelleris)- a variegated variety with a wide spreading crown, up to 1.5 m high. The leaves are similar in shape and pattern to ‘ Rose Glow’, only they are green in color. In autumn, the leaves are pink and red, with light patterns. The variety needs good care and winter shelter.

• 'Harlequin’ (Harlequin) - variegated, similar to ‘ Pink Queen'. Shrub with an oval crown 1.3 m high and red non-lignified shoots. The leaves are red with pink, gray and white stains and specks. Compared to variety 'Rose Glow' there are more spots, and the leaf is lighter. Requires winter shelter, increments of 10-15 cm per year.

• ‘Kornik’(Kornik) - a variegated variety with a greenish-white color of the leaves, on which there are numerous cream stains and spots. Bush up to 1.5 m high. Young shoots are red-brown in color, subject to winter freezing, shelter is required.

• erecta’ (Erekta) - an elegant variety with small light green leaves, similar to garden form ‘Minor'. The crown is narrow-oval, up to 1 m high. In a young bush, the branches are directed upwards, and with age they are more rejected. Abundant flowering, light yellow flowers. In autumn, the leaves are purple, numerous red fruits ripen.

• ‘Kobold’(Kobold) - a dwarf variety with small shiny green leaves, the height of the bush is about 0.5 m. The shoots are red-brown. The leaves are ovate, dark green, orange-yellow and bright red in autumn.

Starts to lose color.

Barberry - ornamental and fruit bush, barberry berries are live candies: they cool, sweeten and sour, in addition, they are used to make jams, preserves, compotes and tinctures. Juice from barberry berries has pronounced antibacterial and antipyretic properties. Barberry leaves are used for marinades, their infusion can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the biliary tract and liver.

Types of barberry: variety and attractiveness

Despite the fact that the barberry shrub is a fairly old and well-known "guest" in our front gardens, now it is experiencing a new surge of interest in itself. Today, a wide variety of barberry varieties have appeared: creeping forms they are used to strengthen and mask slopes, pyramidal species are used to set up coolies, individual specimens with a bright leaf are used for solitary plantings.

Of more than 170 species, we present the most popular:

• common barberry - branched shrub growing up to 3 m in height. Shoots erect, abundantly dotted with thorns, leaves - saturated green colors. Flowers - bright yellow, collected in racemose inflorescences, with a delicate honey aroma. In the first year the branches are yellow or yellowish-purple, which in the second year change color to greyish -white. Fruiting is plentiful, annual, the berries are bright red, suitable for food, although species with yellow and even white fruits are cultivated. The view is perfectly adapted to urban conditions, tolerates numerous haircuts, and is very frost-resistant. Undemanding to the soil, not picky about the lighting regime, although it develops better with good lighting.
• barberry Thunberg - a low (up to 1 m) deciduous shrub that feels great in the polluted atmosphere of a modern metropolis. Drought-resistant, not picky about the composition of the soil. The leaves are small, oblong, graceful, reach a length of up to 3 cm, bright green, the lower part is gray-gray, in autumn they change color to bright red, yellow, orange and even violet. Young shoots have an attractive color - purple-red, yellowish or bright red, becoming brown or purple-brown with age.

• The branches are abundantly covered with hard (about 1 cm) thorns, therefore, in landscape design, this species is often used to create impenetrable hedges. And since the bush easily tolerates a haircut, it is easy to maintain their correct shape. In addition, often used in Japanese and stone, on the banks reservoirs, in landscape compositions. Flowering lasts 8-12 days, flowers are solitary, reddish outside, yellow inside. In autumn, spectacular-looking fruits appear - elliptical in shape, coral-red, shiny, but at the same time - absolutely inedible.

• barberry Maria - one of the many varieties of barberry Thunberg, with a dense columnar crown, reaching a width of 50 cm. The shoots are straight, vertical, slightly branched, can reach a height of 90-100 cm. The leaves are golden yellow, along the edges - a carmine-red border, in the autumn they acquire an expressive bright orange-red color

• barberry orange - comes in two varieties. Orange Rocket attracts with a bright two-tone - young leaves and shoots are orange, which “with age” become beet-colored, and with the onset of autumn they change color to red. Orange Dream is a low shrub with a spreading crown. It is especially good in autumn - its leaves turn bright red and do not fall off until frost. The bush "blazes", diluting the dullness of the pre-winter garden

• barberry golden - will become a bright spot of sunshine on your site. This is a small (up to 50 cm in height, crown diameter does not exceed 1 m) bush with a cushion-shaped dense crown, it remains attractive throughout the growing season. The color of the leaves depends on the degree of illumination and is from light green to golden yellow. Very low annual growth

• barberry Atropurpurea – medium-high (1.5-1.8 meters) shrub, retaining spectacular, rich purple red-brown leaves throughout the season. Flowering occurs at the beginning of June and lasts, on average, 12 days. It reproduces well - rooting of summer cuttings is almost 100%, seed germination - 90%

• barberry superba – large enough (can reach 4m in height and in diameter) ornamental shrub. Leaves are dark in summer red, with a bluish bloom, in autumn they change color to orange and bright red. Add attractiveness to the shrub and bright red berries ripening in September, densely placed throughout the bush. Flowering occurs in May, the flowers are red-yellow, collected in racemose inflorescences up to 5 cm long.

• barberry rocket - purple-leaved columnar variety, with vertical shoots and short branches. Leaves are red-brown. Looks spectacular in a single landing against the backdrop of bright greenery

• barberry red - red-leaved varieties of barberries, which include Red Chief, Red Pillar, Red Carpet, etc.

Barberry: planting and care

Despite the diversity of barberry species and their differences, they all need the same planting and care conditions. First of all, you should take care of the illumination of the site - in order to get bright foliage of saturated colors, the barberry should receive enough Sveta. In partial shade, the brightness of the color and varietal features begin to be lost, all leaves acquire a greenish tint. The exception is the yellow barberry "Aurea", the leaves of which can burn in the sun, so it is preferable to choose partial shade for it.

The soil

Two main requirements - good drainage(barberry does not tolerate stagnant water) and soil of normal acidity. On peaty acidic soils, liming will be required - when planting under a bush, 300-400 g of lime, 200 g of wood ash are added. It does not hurt to add sand - this will improve aeration.

Advice! To obtain a hedge, barberry is planted at the rate of 2 bushes per running meter. With a single landing between the bushes maintain a distance of at least 2 m.

Care

Barberry needs constant loosening (weeding) of the soil under the bushes - this will improve the structure of the soil and its aeration, and protect it from waterlogging. Under the crown, soil mulching can be carried out - with sawdust, peat, etc.

Advice! Since the barberry is cross-pollinated, several bushes must be planted side by side to obtain berries.

top dressing

Barberry is fertilized in the spring in the second year after planting, applying nitrogen fertilizers - 25-30 g of urea per bucket of water. The next top dressing is carried out only after 3-4 years

Watering

The barberry bush does not need frequent watering, it will have enough moisture obtained from natural precipitation. In case of severe drought, it is recommended to water once a week, warm water, directing the jet strictly under the root.

pruning

A rather troublesome operation, primarily due to the abundance of thorns. In the spring, after wintering, sanitary pruning is carried out - all frozen, broken, damaged, diseased, dry and weak shoots are removed, treating the places of cuts with garden pitch. It is worth remembering that flowering and fruit formation in barberry occurs on 2-year-old branches, which, after fruiting, can be cut off until the very cold. When creating hedges, the bushes are pruned starting from the 2nd year of planting. Barberry undersized varieties practically does not need pruning, with the exception of diseased and dried branches.