Barberry
Berberis species (ERBERIDACEAE)
Planting and Growing Barberry
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow barberry in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and berries of barberry
- Growing conditions for barberry
- When and where to plant barberry
- How to plant barberry
- How to shape, prune and control growth of barberry
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of barberry
- Landscape uses of barberry
- Pest and disease control for barberry
Growing Barberry
About 500 species of medium-growing, spiny, dense, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, 4–8 ft. (1.2–2.4 m) tall, depending on species, with shiny, hollylike, green, red, yellow, or variegated leaves, 1–3 in. (25–75 mm) long, turning purple, red in autumn.
Barberry Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Many cup-shaped, bright yellow to red flowers in spring, forming hanging branched clusters, 1–4 in. (25–100 mm) long, with black, blue, red, yellow berries in autumn.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 3–9, depending on species.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 5.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 2–6 ft. (60–180 cm) apart, depending on species and use.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize annually in spring. Prune by removing oldest wood. Protect from sun, wind. Propagate by cuttings, layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, barriers, hedges in arid, woodland gardens and landscapes. Attracts birds, hummingbirds. Drought, humidity, smog tolerant. Some species regulated to prevent stem-rust disease.