Barberry is the largest genus of shrubs with a height of 30 cm to 3 m. The color of the leaves of this plant is varied (like the genus Bérberis itself) - green, brown, red, motley, yellow. Modern breeders have managed to bring out decorative varieties that have leaves with a border around the edges and even polka dots. The acidic fruits of barberry are not very large - usually 7-10 mm, but there are varieties in which their size reaches 15 mm. They are also painted in different colors - pink, red, purple, blue-black with a waxy coating.
Barberry is especially beautiful in the spring, when the sun's rays are reflected in the hanging brushes of flowers.
Barberry. Landing and care. Seat selection
Shaded places for planting this sun-loving plant are categorically not suitable. The color of the bush is proportionally dependent on the sun's rays caressing its leaves. Yes, and such a plant will not bear fruit.
Barberry is unpretentious to the soil; it grows well both on chernozem and sub-clay. It tolerates groundwater. It is winter hardy and drought tolerant enough.
Thanks to prickly-leafy stipules, the plant is widely used as a decorative hedge.
Seedlings are planted in open ground in spring and autumn. When planting a single bush of barberry, choose a place free from other plants and barriers in diameter of 1.5–2 meters. Tightness and shadow will prevent the plant from forming a proportional crown. To create a hedge, 4 seedlings are placed on a running meter.
They dig a rather large hole under the barberry bush: depth - 40-50 cm, diameter - 50-60 cm. Be sure to add humus or compost, mineral fertilizers for berry crops to the ground. After planting, the plant needs abundant watering.
Barberry. Landing and care. Fertilizer
The main process of plant care is 2-3-fold feeding during the summer period. The first of them is carried out before flowering with an aqueous solution of Agricola fertilizer for berry and flowering crops: per 10 l of water, 1 tbsp. spoon. The second - nitrophosic during the formation of berries: 2 tbsp. tablespoons per 10 liters of water. Dry (third) top dressing must be applied after harvesting: 50 g of potassium sulfate and 100 g of superphosphate after loosening the soil. Barberry needs only water-loading irrigation (in autumn and early spring).
Barberry. Landing and care. Crown formation
Being a multi-stemmed shrub, barberry is very good for creating decorative forms. Pruning, as a rule, is carried out in early spring, until the leaves have blossomed. Barberry is also cleaned for rejuvenation by removing dry, broken, old and very thick branches.
Barberry. Landing and care. Insect and disease protection
Barberry aphid and sawfly harm the plant. If these insects are found on the leaves, the bush must be treated with a solution of tobacco and laundry soap. After harvesting, it is recommended to spray with a solution of the drug "Spark DE": 10 l of water 10 g.
Fungal diseases do much more harm to barberry than pests. A disease such as rust, affecting the entire bush at the same time, is considered the most dangerous. If round orange spots are found, covered on the inside with pads, immediately treat the plant with Bordeaux liquid (1% solution), and after 7 days with Topaz.
In a disease called “powdery mildew” (plaque on leaves and shoots in the form of powdery mildew), the affected branches and leaves of barberry must be removed and burned.