Barbarea
St. Barbara's herb, Barbara's herb
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m × 0.1m – 0.1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This covers around 12 species which includes Land cress (Barbarea verna) and one ornamental form (Barbarea vulgaris) and its cultivars. The plant is named as the herb of St. Barbara who is the patron saint of miners. The species include both biennial and perennial forms. The ornamental variety is grown both for its yellow flowers, and in some forms, its variegated foliage.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.1m – 0.1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.