Barberry is a tough shrub with gorgeous jewel-toned foliage, but it must be planted responsibly.
Thanks to its vibrant green, yellow, and burgundy foliage, barberry shines throughout the growing season.
Although the plant lacks showy blooms, barberrysrichly colored leavesand crimson berries offer a unique alternative beauty.
Credit: Jason Wilde
In some cases, this is a welcomedefense against deer.
However, the thorns can also be a hassle when pruning and otherwise caring for the plant.
When considering barberry varieties for your landscape, note the shrubs overall size and habit.
Credit: Jason Wilde
Plant nursery-grown barberry by digging a hole that is twice as wide and the same depth as the container.
Loosen the soil around the sides and at the bottom of the holewith a shovel.
If the soil is not well-draining,amend it with compost.
Credit: David McDonald
Remove the shrub from its container and position it so the root crown sits at soil level.
Backfill the hole with the removed soil and tamp it down to remove air pockets.
Water your newly planted barberry and apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around its base.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Barberry Care Tips
Barberry is alow-maintenance shrubthat needs little attention to thrive.
Light
Plant barberry bushes in full sun or partial shade.
In regions with frequent high temperatures, the plant needs more shade to prevent its leaves from scorching.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The soil should not be soggy, as the plant doesnt do well with damp roots.
However, if leaves begin to fall off the plant, thats a sign that water is needed.
Temperature and Humidity
Barberry tolerates a range of temperatures but does best in cool temperatures.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The plant struggles in hot and humid conditions and is vulnerable to high winds.
Fertilizer
Barberry doesnt need fertilizing unless the soil is very poor.
To protect young plants and keep the soil moist,you could spread mulcharound the base of the shrubs.
Credit: Janet Loughrey
Pruning
Small, tidy varieties of barberry plants need little tono pruningto maintain a pleasing shape.
Remove dead branches or leaves as needed, ideally in summer or winter.
Protect your hands from barberrys thorns bywearing gloveswhen working with the plant.
(Semi-hardwood cuttings are current year growth that has begun to turn firm.)
Add water and place a clear plastic bag over the pot.
Mist the barberry cutting occasionally to keep the medium moist but not wet.
Test the cutting four to six weeks later by tugging gently on a leaf.
If you feel resistance, the cutting has rooted.
Fall is the best time to plant the shrub outside.
Seeds
Harvest several barberry berries in late summer.
Mash the berries and soak them in water overnight to remove the pulp.
Fill 4-inch pots with moistened seed-starting mix.
Sow two seeds per pot about 1/2 inch deep and add water.
After thecold stratificationperiod, take the pots from the refrigerator and remove the plastic.
Set them on a warming mat or in a warm location.
The seeds will germinate about five weeks later.
If both seeds in a pot germinate, remove the smaller seedling of the two.
The deciduous shrub attracts birds and grows 3 feet tall and wide.
Zones 4-8 are ideal for this variety.
It grows 5 feet tall and wide in Zones 5-8.
It grows 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide in Zones 5-8.
Nevins barberry grows 6-10 feet tall and has bright yellow flowers in winter and spring.
It makes a great impenetrable hedge or a nice covering for dry slopes in Zones 9-10.
It is a tough, hardy barberry selection that makes an excellent groundcover in Zones 7-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barberry shrubs are either deciduous or evergreen.
While its thorns deter grazing creatures from munching on its foliage, barberry is known to attract birds.
During winter, several bird species flutter around the shrub to pick its berries.
Most barberry berries can be eaten raw or cooked in your favorite recipes.
However, some species of barberry berries are bitter and aren’t as tasty.
These bushes can threaten natural habitats by outcompeting native plants and altering soil chemistry.
They can also increase tick populations, which could potentially spread Lyme disease.
Invasive Plant Factsheet: Japanese Barberry.University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.
