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Japanese Barberry ..... A Multi Use Plant
By Bill hirst, Tue Jan 10th
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) DESCRIPTION: Japanese barberry is a compact, shrub with sharpspines, that commonly grows from two to three feet tall. Itsroots are shallow and tough. The smooth-edged leaves range fromoval to spatulate in shape and are clustered in tight bunchesclose to the branches of the plant. There are yellow flowerswhich bloom in May and are about one third of an inch wide,solitary or in small clusters of 2-4 blossoms. The bright-redfruits mature in mid-summer on the bush and remain into autumnand the winter. The berries are small and found singly or inclusters. We sell several cultivars of this species asornamentals. These plants have good deer resistance. Smallthorns act as an invisable barrier to deer. Once they encounterthis plant, they nearly have to starve to be found eating them. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: All barberries prefers well-drainedsoils, although it has been found in wet soils. Barberies aretypically found in locations of partial sunlight such as awoodland's edge. Barberies can survive well under the shade ofan oak tree canopy. It is also found along roadsides, fences,old fields, and open woods. These plants can and do escape andare invasive.
Japanese barberry was introduced from Japan. It is commonlyplanted for ornamental value (its scarlet fruit and autumnalfoliage make it an attractive hedge), as well as for wildlifeand erosion control. It easily naturalizes because its fruit isoften eaten by birds, which subsequently disperse the seeds. Theplant reproduces by seed and creeping roots. Wildlife is knownto eat the seeds and distribute barberies. Branches can rootfreely when they touch the ground or get covered by leaveswhichallows single plants to become quite large. If
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your landscape is dominated by a sea of green plants,barberries will add striking color options. Besides being toughand deer resistant, they are easy to transplant. Barberries havemuch to offer. Barberries are drought resistant, pest free,andcome in many striking colors. Barberries make excellent barrierplants. Plant next to windows to keep Peeping Toms away. Thereare over 20 varieties. Plant all barberries in partial shade to full sun. A couple ofinches of compost or well aged bark mulch accompanied by 1-2pounds of a 5-10-5 fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden areais recomended. Incorporate it it in the soil deeply. Since some types of barberries can grow to 6', allow amplespace for the plants. We suggest 3' spacings for the plants.Most barberries grow the same width as height. Make the whole atleast twice the size of the root ball. Tamp the soil lightly andwater well after planting. You may have to refill more dirt tothe plant as it settles. Mulch with no more than 1 inch oforganic mulch. The first month and the first year are critical to surviving.Most barberries die because of dehydration on transplanting.Moisted well on tranplanting to encourage deep rooting. Don'tallow the plants to dry out durring this year. Moisture iscritical during the first year, especially in years like thepast two. Water deeply when required, training the roots to godeep. Feed four weeks after transplanting using a slow-releasedfertilizer, like an 8-8-8 or 12-6-6 at 1 pound per 100 squarefeet of bed space. You can see info and articles about plants atBill web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com About the author:Bill has been growing plants for over 45 years and writes aboutnursery stock, trees, and plants. His web sites includehttp://www.highlandhillfarm.com http://www.seedlingsrus.com andhttp://www.zone5trees.com Bill owns and operates 23 farms andranches across the U.S.
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