Berberis vulgaris
Common barberry
- Height × spread
- 3m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This species is rarely seen as it is a host to wheat rust during winter. Consequently, it is inappropriate to grow it in the vicinity of cultivated fields. The plant forms a medium-sized shrub with pretty little racemes of yellow flowers in late spring and bright red berries in the autumn. The berries hang in pendulous clusters from arching branches and are a vibrant feature. They survive into winter. The fruit is poisonous when unripe, but can be eaten when ripe. It has a sharp acidic flavour. In Rouen, France, the berries are used in the preparation of <I>confitures d'epine vinette</I>. The leaves are mid-green and rounded in shape.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Orange-red
- Stem colour
- Brown, Red
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Deer
- May be browsed by deer, protect when young.
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Summer - early-mid · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has flowered, cut all the flowered shoots back to healthy buds that are lower on the stems. When the plant is established, take out a quarter of the oldest branches to the ground at this time.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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Darwin's barberry
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Narrow-leaved berberis
Berberis microphylla 'Pygmaea'
Dwarf Magellan barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry