Thunberg barberry: description, cultivation features, varieties

Barberry (Latin: Berberis) is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners. This is due not only to its decorative qualities but also to its ease of cultivation.

There are over 400 varieties of barberry, ranging in size from 30 cm to 2.5 m. They also differ in leaf color. These shrubs have thorns, attractive spring blooms, and red berries that remain on the bush until spring.

The most popular ornamental barberry is Berberis thunbergii. This species includes a wide variety of cultivars with a variety of leaf colors and sizes.

Growing

Barberries prefer full sun. In shade, varieties with yellow, red, green, or orange leaves turn green. They thrive in any well-drained, neutral soil. Care involves regular, moderate watering and pruning once or twice a season. Older plants can be thinned out. This cultivation method greatly stimulates new growth. Barberries respond well to various fertilizers and are even tolerant of urban conditions.

Popular varieties

• Barberry Thunbergii 'Admiration' is a dwarf variety that forms a small mound (about 50 cm). It is characterized by red-orange foliage with a yellow edge. It blooms in mid-May with small, light yellow flowers, which yield small red berries in the fall. It is an ideal shrub for growing in small or container gardens.

• Barberry Thunbergii 'Silver Beauty' is a spreading variety, decorative thanks to its bright green foliage with white and pink streaks. It grows up to 1.5 m tall and responds well to shaping. It can be used for hedge planting.

• Berberis thunbergii 'Dart's Red Lady' is an interesting variety of barberry, with foliage that varies in color depending on the season. In the spring, dark red-purple leaves emerge, and in the summer, they acquire a greenish tint. In the fall, the foliage turns bright red. This variety reaches 1.5 m in height, but can be kept smaller with regular pruning.
• Barberry Thunbergii 'Atropurpurea Nana' is a compact, thorny shrub (up to 50 cm) with small, rounded, red foliage with a slight purple tint. In autumn, the leaves turn crimson, and small coral berries appear. It can be used for a low hedge or for planting in compositions.

• Barberry Thunbergii 'Golden Dream' is a medium-vigorous variety (up to 60 cm) with greenish-yellow leaves. Young stems have an orange-red color, adding to the plant's striking appearance. This barberry variety makes a wonderful bright addition to a flowerbed.
• Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow' is another variety of Berberis thunbergii with red foliage. Its main characteristic is the white and pink streaks that give the foliage a marbled appearance.

• Barberry Thunbergii 'Maria' is a tall and fairly wide shrub. Mature plants sometimes reach 1.5 m in height and 1 m in width. The shrub is upright, with bright yellow foliage. Young growth has an orange tint. It can be used as a specimen planting or as a medium-height hedge.

If you're looking for an interesting shrub for your garden that requires minimal maintenance, barberry is a perfect choice, and the variety of varieties will only complement and add zest to your garden design.