Berberis vulgaris, a perfect shrub for protection hedges

View of the beautiful leaves of the Berberis vulgaris

Shrubs are plants that can not be missing in any garden. They give color and shape to the room, and they are also very useful to keep the different areas a little separate. Although there are many very interesting species, one of which is the most Berberis vulgaris.

It is an incredible plant that resists pruning well and needs little care. Do we know it?

Origin and characteristics

View of the Berberis vulgaris 'Atropurpurea'

Image - Wikimedia / H. Zell

El Berberis vulgaris it is a thorny deciduous shrub native to central and southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa known as common barberry, agrazon, garbazon, cruet or vinaigrette that reaches a height of 3 meters. It develops highly branched stems and fine armed spines. From them sprout elliptical to obovate, sessile or petiolate leaves and with the entire or spiny margin.

The flowers are grouped in pedunculated racemes, from which 3 to 25 yellow flowers sprout. The fruit is a red to bluish-black berry that measures 5 to 9mm in length.

What are the cares?

Would you like to have a copy? If so, write down our tips:

Location

It is important to place the Berberis vulgaris abroad, either in full sun or in semi-shade, and at a distance of at least 30 centimeters from the wall or wall so that it can have a good development. It has no invasive roots.

Earth

  • Garden: limestone soil. Live well on poor land.
  • Flower pot: universal growing medium (you can get it here).

Irrigation

Take care of your Berberis vulgaris so that it flourishes

Although it can withstand drought if it takes time - more than a year - planted in the ground, it is better not to forget to water it. During the summer we water it every 2-3 days, and the rest of the year every 4-5 days.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer It is advisable to pay with organic fertilizers, such as guano. In the case of having it in a pot, liquid fertilizers should be used so as not to hinder the drainage of the water.

Pruning

In autumn or late winter it must be given a maintenance pruning; that is to say, dry, diseased or weak branches must be removed and those that have grown too large must be trimmed.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to plant it in the garden will be in spring. It can also be done in late summer if you live in an area with a mild climate.

In case of having it in a pot, it must be transplanted every 2 springs.

Multiplication

Berberis vulgaris can have a green or red leaf

Image - Wikimedia / H. Zell

Seeds

To multiply the Berberis vulgaris by seeds follow this step by step in spring:

  1. The first thing to do is fill a seedbed with universal growing medium.
  2. Then copper or sulfur is spread over the surface of the substrate and watered.
  3. The seeds are then placed so that they are slightly separated from each other. In fact, the most recommended is that if the pot measures about 10,5cm, do not put more than 3; if it is bigger they will put some more and if it is smaller, less.
  4. Then they are covered with a thin layer of substrate.
  5. Finally, it is watered again and the seedbed is placed outside, in full sun.

If all goes well, the first ones will germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Cuttings

One way to get specimens more quickly is by multiplying it with cuttings in summer. For it, you have to do the following:

  1. First, a semi-woody branch will be cut that is at least 30cm long.
  2. Afterwards, the base is impregnated with homemade rooting agents.
  3. Then, it is placed in a pot with vermiculite previously watered.
  4. Finally, it is placed outside, in semi-shade.

If all goes well, it will root in about a month.

Plagues and diseases

It is very resistant, but can be affected by:

  • Roya: it is a fungus that causes the appearance of small red or brown bumps on the leaves. It is fought with fungicides.
  • Aphids: they are insects of just 0,5 cm that can be brown, yellow or green that feed on the sap of the leaves. They are fought with chlorpyrifos or with an anti-aphid insecticide.

Rusticity

It resists cold and frost well up to -10ºC.

How do you care for a Berberis bonsai?

Berberis bonsai, a very easy plant to care for

If you want a barberry bonsai, these are the care you should provide:

  • Location: full sun or semi-shade.
  • Substratum: 100% akadama or mixed with 30% kiryuzuna.
  • Irrigation: it has to remain moist but not waterlogged. Water with rainwater or lime-free.
  • Subscriber: from spring to summer with a liquid fertilizer for bonsai, following the indications specified on the product packaging.
  • Pruning: late winter. Dry, diseased or weak branches and those that have grown too much must be removed.
  • Transplant: every 2 or 3 years, at the end of winter.

And with this we are done. What did you think of the Berberis vulgaris? It is a very pretty plant, right? It is not the type that gives much shade, but it is perfect to have as a low and / or protection hedge, or as a bonsai. 🙂


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