Berberis

( BER - ber - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

Berberis, commonly known as Barberry, refers to a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs that grow in a wide range of zones. They are easy to grow, so much so that some species have been placed on invasive species plant lists around the globe. These shrubs typically have spines on their stems and dense foliage, providing great greenery for gardens and making attractive formal hedges. Use these shrubs as bordering for pathways, in mixed beds, or in containers on patios or walkways. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape; in addition to their sharp spines, some species can be toxic to humans and animals if plant parts are ingested. Many species are considered invasive, as well.

Berberis Species and Varietals

Berberis is a relative of Mahonia, and is a member of the family Berberidaceae. The genus includes around 500 species. The best growing zones for Barberry vary depending on the species being cultivated; for more information, refer to the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Berberis darwinii (Darwin Barberry, Darwin's Barberry, Michay, Calafate)
Darwin Barberry is an evergreen shrub that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-9 or Sunset growing zones 5-9. It is hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a showy shrub with a fountain-like shape that can grow to 5-10 feet tall and 4-7 feet wide. Leaves are dark green, flowers are orange-yellow, and berries are dark blue and popular with local wildlife. This species is considered invasive in New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and the United States.

Berberis julianae (Wintergreen Barberry, Chinese Barberry, Juliana's Barberry, Evergreen Barberry)
This shrub is evergreen to semi-evergreen. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-24 and is hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, but some foliage will be damaged in colder temperatures. This barberry can take full shade. It is a dense shrub with an upright habit and can grow to be between 6 to 8 feet tall and just as wide. Dark green, almost leathery leaves can be up to three inches in length. Berries are blue-black. This variety can make a great privacy and protective hedge, as it is one of the spiniest Barberries. This species is considered an invasive species in the eastern United States and South Africa.

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry, Thunberg's Barberry)
This variety is very widely sold, and comes in many different colors, as shown in the pictures below. This group of Barberry is hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. They have a graceful, arching habit, and can grow to be 4-6 feet wide and tall. Leaves are round and dark green on top, paler green below. Leaves turn yellow, orange, and red before falling off the plant. Bright red berries give the shrub color in fall and winter. This variety can be used as a hedge, barrier, or specimen plant. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. It is considered invasive across the northeastern and midwestern United States, and eastern Canada.

'Aurea'

'Golden Nugget'

'Kobold'

'Limeglow'

'Sparkle'

'Sunsation'

Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea (Purple Japanese Barberry, Purple Thunberg's Barberry)
This variety is a group related to the above shrubs, the difference being that this group has darker colored leaves. These shrubs develop the most striking colors when planted in the sun. They are considered invasive across the northeastern and midwestern United States, and eastern Canada.

'Cherry Bomb'

'Golden Ring'

'Helmond Pillar'

'Rose Glow'

'Royal Cloak'

'Concorde'

Caring for barberry

Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape; in addition to their sharp spines, some species can be toxic to humans and animals if plant parts are ingested. Many species are considered invasive, as well. Barberry bushes can provide colorful interest in the garden in addition to being very low-maintenance plants. For the most part, barberry bushes are hardy, deciduous plants commonly used as foundation bushes in the garden as well as hedges for privacy. They are typically purchased as specimens from a reputable nursery or grower, and should be planted in a space in the garden that receives full sun to partial shade; ideally they like to get around 6-8 hours of sun each day with some late afternoon shade in warmer climates. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Barberry shrubs have low to medium water needs, and are considered drought tolerant after being established. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch, and make sure that these shrubs are never overwatered. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. If plants are being grown into a hedge, it is necessary to prune a couple of times a year, as it will increase shrub health and vigor. Otherwise, only prune in the winter or fall after the plant has fruited. As with most other plants, remove dead or diseased wood as needed and trim lightly to shape. These plants are considered long-lived perennials, and typically can last for between 10 and 60 years in the landscape if cared for properly before needing to be replaced.

Growing Berberis in Containers
Barberry shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Berberis plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Berberis, or Barberry, shrubs are most easily propagated through taking cuttings and rooting them in soil. Follow the directions below to propagate your Barberry shrub:

Propagating Berberis by Cutting

Take a four to six inch cutting from the shrub using clean, sharp pruners. Make sure that the cutting is of new growth that the plant has put on this growing season. It will be less 'woody' or firm due to the fact that it is just beginning to mature. Remove the lower third of any stem leaves or buds that may be growing on the cutting.
Dip the end of the cutting into rooting hormone and gently tap to remove excess powder.
Fill a rooting tray or a small container with a rooting medium that has been moistened with some water. Stick the cut end of the stem into the medium so that about half of the cutting is above the soil level. If growing more than one cutting, space them apart so that the leaves on each stem are not touching each other.
Water your cuttings and the medium. Then, cover the container with a clear plastic container or a clear plastic bag. Mist the cuttings regularly with a spray bottle filled with water during the rooting period to keep the humidity high. Monitor the moisture level to prevent the environment from becoming too wet.
Pull gently on the stem cuttings four to six weeks later to see if there is resistance. If there is resistance, roots are beginning to grow! Grab a fork and gently scoop out your cutting, being careful not to damage the new roots. Once you can see that the roots are all at least one inch long, transplant the cutting to an individual pot filled with potting soil. Continue to grow the cuttings in a protected environment, like indoors, in your garage, or in your greenhouse, if you have one, for one year.
After a year has passed, pick a spot in your yard and plant your new Barberry.

problems and pests

Barberry bushes can be invasive, so be sure to check your local gardening resources before planting barberry in your yard. Japanese Barberry specifically has been identified as an invasive plant in 32 US states. These shrubs are also magnets for ticks. They can also be dangerous to passing children and animals, as they do have thorns. Otherwise, Barberry plants can suffer from the following issues and pests: