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| Berberis | Common name; Barberry |
A hardy spiny deciduous, or evergreen shrub grown for its autumn colours, and clusters of brightly coloured berries.
The foliage turns red and orange in autumn, and panicles of yellow flowers appear in July, followed by red berries.
Some species make excellent hedges, and many of the dwarf species are well suited to small gardens.
Trim established deciduous hedges once a year (Aug-Sept) to maintain shape, and evergreen hedges after flowering.
Week 18; Place the rooted cuttings taken the previous summer into a nursery bed and grow on for one or two years before transplanting to permanent positions
Alternatively; pot up cuttings into 100mm (4”) pots of potting compost and grow on in a sheltered spot in the garden.
Week 32; Take 75-100mm (3”-4”) long heel cuttings, insert them in equal parts (by volume) peat and sand and place them in a cold frame to root.
Week 35; Plant out the more tender evergreen species now in a sunny position or dappled shade or else wait until the ground warms up in early spring.
If growing as a hedge plant them out approximately 500-600mm (18”-24”) apart.
After planting, cut out the tips of the branches to encourage bushiness
Week 40; Plant out the deciduous species in a sunny position from now until March.
Now is a suitable time to divide mature plants
Week 42; Sow seeds in nursery beds or in trays of seed compost and place in a cold frame to germinate.
n.b. Plants might not come true to variety sown.
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