Barberry: varieties and species with descriptions, characteristics and photos

Growing fruit trees and berry bushes is a tradition of many owners of summer cottages. Increasingly, curiosities are also found in gardens, the care of which brings pleasure to lovers of messing with plants. Barberry bushes often grow near houses, there are many varieties intended for growing in difficult climatic conditions, and every year breeders present more and more new species.

Most popular species

There are dozens of types of barberry that you should grow yourself. Before you buy the coveted seedling, it is recommended to carefully study the description of the varieties, understand the characteristics, learn about the pros and cons of the species you like.

Thunberg

Considered one of the most popular varieties of barberry. During the summer, the leaves are dark purple, turning bright red in autumn. Shrub with proper care is able to reach one and a half meters in height. Tolerates frost, withstands up to 35 degrees below zero.

Tibetan

Differs in endurance, easily transfers low and high temperatures therefore it is recommended for cultivation in cold and hot regions. It is not attacked by pests, does not get sick. The berries are pleasant to the taste, do not have a pronounced sour taste inherent in most varieties of barberry.

The fruits of the Tibetan barberry are used in alternative medicine, the combination of useful substances easily copes even with serious diseases.

Canadian

Most often used only for decoration, although the variety differs in fruiting, annually produces a crop of berries.The shrub is tall (up to 2.5 m), has a lush crown. On the shoots are long spikes (up to one and a half centimeters). Barberry is undemanding to the soil, it easily takes root on sandstones or rocky soils.

Korean

The variety differs from its counterparts in the bizarre shape of the spines, which are collected in bunches of 4-7 pcs. The plant is tall - from 2 m. It begins to bear fruit only from the age of five, although fragrant yellow flowers appear earlier. Berries ripen in September, leaf fall begins in early November.

Varieties with edible fruits

Before you buy a barberry seedling, it is recommended to decide for what purpose the shrub will be grown. If the plant will be grown for fruits, it is better to find out in advance whether the berries are used for food.

Spherical

In the vastness of Russia, it is difficult to meet a spherical variety of barberry, the shrub is whimsical and does not take root well in unstable or cool climatic conditions. It is recommended to take care of shelter for the winter, otherwise the plant will die at the first frost.

The fruit shrub will delight you with delicious berries, ripening dates are in mid-September. Often fruiting stretches until November.

Regular

Most often found in the Caucasus, although even in harsh Siberian conditions it will endure severe frosts. The main characteristics of the species:

• immunity to diseases;
• compact (bushes rarely exceed 2.5 m);
• formation capability;
• large fruits that taste good;
• yield;
• easy care.

The main growing condition is plenty of light and moderately moist soil. It is better not to plant bushes in the shade, this will certainly affect the size and taste of the fruit.

Dwarf

She is also a kind of barberry - dwarfs.Low bushes generously endow with delicious fruits, which are used for the preparation of conservation, desserts, refreshing drinks. Often grown for decoration, the dwarf barberry fits perfectly into flowering plant arrangements.

Atropurpurea Nana

The undersized bush is distinguished by a spherical crown, bright purple leaves that change color during the season and become almost fiery by autumn. Flowering begins in May and lasts more than a month. The flowers are small, bright yellow. The fruits are red, ripen by September.

Kobold

Adult bush, even with proper care, rarely reaches half a meter. A distinctive feature of the variety is that by autumn the leaves acquire a golden hue. Pink or bright red berries are picked in September. The bush feels great in frost and heat, bears fruit even in the shade.

Bagatelle

One of the most attractive dwarf barberries. The height of an adult plant is 35-40 cm. The leaves are small, up to 1 cm, purple. The berries are edible and ripen in early autumn. The plant is best not grown in regions with unstable or too cold climatic conditions. Does not tolerate partial shade - be sure to plant in sunny areas.

On a columnar rootstock

The barberry on columnar rootstocks is quite popular. Golden columns will decorate a flower garden, a garden, they are often used to create hedges.

Golden Torch

Distinguished by fairly light yellow foliage. Height - up to one and a half meters. Be sure to take care of the sunny area, in the shade the plant loses its decorative effect. The variety is frost-resistant, easily withstands temperatures as low as 35 degrees.

Golden Pillar

Another beautiful columnar variety that will decorate the site. The height of an adult plant is only one and a half meters, the diameter of the crown is up to half a meter. Withstands low and high temperatures, does not require special care, will do without regular watering.

Erecta

Tall lush bush with golden foliage. The variety does not differ in height - only 1.5 m. The diameter is about a meter. The bush is undemanding to care, it will do without shelter in winter.

Orange Rocket

Bushes with bright orange leaves fit perfectly into any landscape. Plants are low, rarely exceeding one meter. The fruits are edible and begin to ripen in early autumn.

Evergreen landscape varieties

There are many varieties of barberry that do not shed their leaves even for the winter. Typically, such varieties are used for hedges, landscaping, decorating gardens, home gardens.

Freecard

Blooms in May. The leaves are light, emerald hue. The fruits ripen in August and are not used for consumption. It is better to grow in warm regions, bushes can die at 20 degrees below zero.

Ganyepena

Different by extremely slow growth, reaching only two meters in ten years. It has long (up to 2 cm) spikes. The flowers are yellow, the fruits are black, they are not used for food.

Darwin

Grown only in warm regions. Shrub low - about 2 m. Orange flowering, black berries, not eaten. A distinctive feature of the variety is long spikes.

Barberry Juliana

Green leaves, in young bushes with a bronze sheen. In warm regions, it blooms in May, in cool regions - in early summer. Flowers are collected in lush brushes. Withstands unstable temperatures.

Variegated varieties

Special value for gardeners are variegated varieties that are skillfully combined with any plants.

Special Gold

A dwarf plant that grows up to only 25 cm. The leaves are small, yellowish with a darker border. In the spring it is covered with abundant golden flowering. Tolerates cold and heat. Often used for landscaping city streets, parks.

Administration

The plant grows only up to half a meter. The leaves are red, have a yellow border. It bears fruit, but the berries are unsuitable for food. It is advisable to use shelter for the winter.

Hedge barberry varieties

A special decoration of the site is a hedge of undersized barberry, which serves as a fence and landscape element. There will be no particular difficulties with growing shrubs, the main thing is to carry out regular pruning, not allowing the plants to grow strongly.

Golden Rocket

Barberry with golden leaves that do not lose their attractiveness throughout the season. Shrub height - up to 1.7 m. Adult plant diameter - 1.4 cm.

Erecta

A fairly tall variety of barberry. With proper care, the bushes grow strongly in breadth, regular pruning is required. The fruits have an unpleasant taste.

Superba

Grows up to three meters. The leaves are purple, the fruits are red, eaten. The variety is undemanding to the environment, it will do without care and regular watering.

Aurikoma

Deciduous small shrub. The crown grows upward, with age it begins to grow to the sides. Red leaves have a bronze sheen, turning orange by autumn.

Ottawa

A variety that does not lose its chic red hue even in the shade or with excess moisture. It grows quickly, in a year it gives up to 50 cm of growth. Used for landscaping.

Varieties with black fruits

Usually chokeberry varieties are used for landscaping, although the berries are quite edible. Best varieties:

• Ganyepena;
• Klugowski;
• Yuliana.

In care, chokeberry varieties are no different from ordinary barberries.

Thornless varieties

Some varieties of barberry do not have thorns, so it is recommended to safely grow them even near playgrounds. Popular thornless varieties:

• Mentor;
• Aurea;
• Helmond Pillar.

These types of barberry are not capricious, easy to care for, and perfectly tolerate the instability of climatic conditions.

How to choose a variety for different regions of Russia

It is recommended to choose species according to climatic conditions. You should not engage in experiments - heat-loving varieties are unlikely to survive the harsh Siberian winter.

The best varieties of barberry for the Moscow region

It is not too difficult to grow barberries in the Moscow region, most varieties will perfectly tolerate temperature instability. The main thing is to follow the rules of agricultural technology and use winter shelter.

Alba Variegata

One of the varieties of the common barberry. A distinctive feature of the variety is irregularly shaped white spots on the leaves. The bush is low - only 1.3-1.4 m. Basic requirements - a lot of sun, moderate soil moisture.

Atropurpurea

Grows up to a meter, purple leaves have a purple hue. After yellow flowers, long red berries are formed. Tolerates partial shade without losing its decorative effect.

Superba

Tall (3 m) shrub with purple leaves. The flower petals are red with a yellow border. The fruits are quite tasty and are used in cooking.

The best varieties of barberry for Siberia, the Urals

For growing in harsh conditions, it is better to purchase frost-resistant varieties of barberry.

Siberian

Low shrub with dense long thorns. The leaves also have prickly teeth. It begins to bloom in late spring, the fruits appear by the beginning of autumn. Easily tolerates frosty winters.

Amursky

Often found naturally. Recommended for growing hedges. Easily tolerates a haircut. The fruits are sour, used for making drinks, preserving.

Barberry - a plant that will emphasize the individuality of a flower garden, garden, decorate a house or yard outbuildings. For a minimum of labor, the shrub will certainly thank with rapid growth and abundant fruiting.

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