Barberry shrubs are exceptional choices for low physical barrier landscape hedges. Described are barberry characteristics, cultivation details and nine selections.
Barberry shrubs are traditional choices for low physical barrier landscape hedges. There are approximately 30 species of Berberis in cultivation (Forest Farm, Williams, Or, 97544-9599) from among approximately 450 species worldwide (Dirr, Michael A. 1998 revision. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Stiles Publishing, Champaign, Ill). However, only four species, four cultivars (cultivated varieties) and two hybids account for the majority of barberries utilized in garden landscapes.
Outstanding Barberry Characteristics
Thorns – deter deer, other four-footed pests such as wandering dogs, and trespassing humans;
Leaves – glossy evergreen or deciduous with bright autumn colors;
Flowers – small, bright – usually yellow and fragrant; attractive to bees;
Fruit – bright red, purple or purple-black berries – usually attractive to birds;
Landscape interest – three seasons; some evergreen types extend landscape interest through winter.
Cultivation Details
Container-grown plants – easily transplantable;
Spacing – follow spacing instruction for each cultivar to avoid crowding in finished hedge;
Light – full sun to part shade;
Moisture – well-drained soil, will not tolerate wet feet; some cultivars tolerate drought conditions.
Selected Barberries for Physical Barrier Hedges
Berberis candidula (Paleleaf barberry): Evergreen, plant hardiness zones 5(6)-8; 2 – 4-feet high, to 5-feet wide; China, 1894.
Berberis julianae (Wintergreen barberry): Evergreen; zones 5(6)-8; mounds to 6 – 8 (possibly 10)-feet; China, 1900.
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry): Deciduous with prominent autumn color in green leafed forms; zones 4 -8 (weak growth in heat of zone 8); dense and rounded, usually broader than tall at maturity; 3 - 6-feet high, to 4 - 7-feet wide; China, 1864.
Cultivars (cultivated varieties) of Berberis thunbergii
B. t. forma atropurpurea: Foliage is reddish or purple; autumn foliage is rich red to purple; fades to greenish color in shade; height about same as species. (Photo #1)
B. t. f. atropurpurea 'Crimson Pygmy' : Red-purple color, best in full sun; growth 1.5' to 2'-tall and 2.5' to 3' wide.
B. t. f. atropurpurea'Rose Glow' : Nw foliage is red-pink mottled with red-purple splotches; height 5 – 6-feet. (Photo #2)
B. t. 'Aurea' : Vivid yellow color which does not scorch; height 3 to 4 feet (5 – 6-feet possible). (Photo #3)
Barberry Hybrids
Berberis x gladwynensis 'William Penn': Evergreen, deep green leaves turning bronze in autumn and winter; zones 6 – 8; Henry Foundation of Gladwyne, PA; parents are B. verruculosa x B. gagnepainii.
Berberis x mentorensis (Mentor barberry): Semi-evergreen or holds leaves into late autumn; green leaves turn autumn shades of yellow, orange and red; twigs with three pronged spines; U.S.A., 1942; parents are B. julianae x B. thunbergii. (Photo #4)
Caution - Invasive Barberry
Berberis vulgaris (European barberry) can be weedy or invasive according to different authoritative sources. This plant is prohibited as an invasive species and banned for planting in CT, NH and MA. Birds are a major cause of spreading this barberry. They eat the seeds, digest the outer layers, and then deposit the embryonic part to grow into another plant.
The copyright of the article Barberry Shrubs (Berberis spp.) in Landscaping is owned by Georgene A. Bramlage. Permission to republish Barberry Shrubs (Berberis spp.) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
