Family: Berberidaceae
Common Name: Barberry

Native to Asia, Europe and the Americas, this genus comprises more than 450 species of attractive evergreen and deciduous shrubs. They are often used as hedges or as specimens because they grow densely and produce clusters of delightful yellow or orange flowers, as well as berries in various colours. Some of the smaller species work well in rockeries.

Species

B. darwinii, zone 7, an evergreen from Chile, has small, shiny, holly-like leaves of deep green, golden flowers and small blue-black berries. It grows 2-3 m (6-10 ft) and is an excellent hedging plant.

B. linearifolia, zone 6, another evergreen from Chile, reaches 3 m (10 ft) with apricot flowers and oval, blue-black berries.

B. x rubrostilla, zone 6, produces yellow flowers and large, red, pear-shaped berries along the stems. This deciduous shrub grows to 1.2 m (5 ft). The leaves colour a rich red in autumn.

B. thunbergii f. atropurpurea, zone 4, a round-headed deciduous shrub, is chiefly grown for its purple-red to coppery foliage which turns crimson in autumn in cool areas. The pale yellow spring flowers are followed in colder climates by small, red berries. It grows 1-2 m (3-6 ft) high. There are other cultivars of this species, including 'Aurea', with yellow foliage, and 'Atropurpurea Nana'. a dwarf form. rarely growing more than 50 cm (20 in) high.

B. wilsoniae, zone 6, is a spreading, semi-evergreen shrub growing to 1 m ( 3 ft) high and 2 m (6 ft) across. The small, rounded leaves colour in autumn, and clusters of yellow flowers are followed by pretty, reddish pink berries.

Cultivation

All of the species do best in cool to warm temperate climates, and are widely grown in gardens in the UK, though many evergreens are not hardy in northern regions. They prefer moist yet well-drained soils and much prefer alkaline or limy conditions. Acid soils can be limed well ahead of planting time. Propagate from hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings of about 12 cm (5 in) in length taken in mid to late winter. Remove the lower thorns and insert into a light mix. Make sure that the mix is not allowed to dry out. Berberis are relatively trouble-free but may be attacked by aphids or powdery mildew from time to time. Some species of Berberis are an alternative host for wheat rust so these are not grown in wheat-growing areas.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.