Varieties and types of barberry with description and characteristics, choice for regions
Growing fruit trees and berry bushes is a tradition of many owners of summer cottages. More and more often there are also curiosities in gardens, the care of which brings pleasure to those who like to tinker with plants. Often, barberry bushes grow near houses, there are many varieties intended for cultivation in difficult climatic conditions, and every year breeders present more and more new species.
Most popular types
There are dozens of types of barberry that you should grow yourself. Before purchasing 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
It is considered one of the most popular varieties of barberry. During the summer, the leaves are dark purple in color, by autumn they turn bright red. The shrub, with proper care, can reach one and a half meters in height. It tolerates frost, can withstand up to 35 degrees below zero.
Tibetan
Differs in hardiness, easily tolerates low and high temperatures, therefore it is recommended for growing 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 nutrients can easily cope even with serious diseases.
Canadian
Most often they are used only for decoration, although the variety differs in fruiting, it produces berries annually. The shrub is high (up to 2.5 m), has a lush crown. There are long thorns on the shoots (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 thorns, which are collected in bunches of 4-7 pieces. The plant is tall - from 2 m. It begins to bear fruit only from the age of five, although fragrant yellow flowers appear earlier. The berries ripen in September; leaf fall begins in early November.
Varieties with edible fruits
Before purchasing a barberry seedling, it is recommended to decide for what purpose the shrub will be grown. If the plant will be grown for fruit, it is better to find out in advance whether the berries are used for food.
Globular
In the vastness of Russia, it is difficult to find 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 already with the first frost.
The fruit shrub will delight you with delicious berries, ripening dates are in mid-September. Fruiting often lasts until November.
Ordinary
It is most often found in the Caucasus, although even in the harsh Siberian conditions it will endure severe frosts. Main characteristics of the species:
- immunity to disease;
- compactness (bushes rarely exceed 2.5 m);
- the possibility of formation;
- large fruits pleasant to the taste;
- yield;
- unpretentious care.
The main condition for growing is a lot 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 are generously endowed with tasty fruits, which are used to prepare canned food, desserts, and refreshing drinks. Plants are often grown for decoration, the dwarf barberry fits perfectly into compositions of flowering plants.
Atropurpurea Nana
The undersized bush has a spherical crown, bright purple leaves, which 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. Fruits are red, ripen by September.
Kobold
An adult bush, even with proper care, rarely reaches half a meter. A distinctive feature of the variety - by autumn, the leaves acquire a golden hue. Pink or bright red berries are harvested 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, ripen in early autumn. It is better not to grow the plant 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
Barberry on columnar rootstocks is very popular. Golden columns will decorate a flower garden, a garden, they are often used to create hedges.
Golden Torch
Differs in rather light yellow foliage. Height - up to one and a half meters. Be sure to take care of a sunny area, in the shade the plant loses its decorative effect. The variety is frost-resistant, easily withstands temperatures lower than 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, it 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 not tall, rarely exceed one meter. Edible fruits begin to ripen in early autumn.
Evergreen varieties for landscape
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, backyard areas.
Freakart
Blooms in May. The leaves are light, emerald green.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.
Ganepen
Differs in extremely slow growth, in ten years it reaches only two meters. It has long (up to 2 cm) spines. The flowers are yellow, the fruits are black, they are not used for food.
Darwin
It is grown only in warm regions. The shrub is low - about 2 m. The flowering is orange, the berries are black, not eaten. A distinctive feature of the variety is its long thorns.
Juliana's barberry
The leaves are green, in young bushes with a bronze tint. In warm regions it blooms in May, in cool regions - in early summer. Flowers are collected in lush brushes. Resistant to unstable temperatures.
Variegated varieties
Variegated varieties that are skillfully combined with any plants are of particular value for gardeners.
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. Endures cold, heat. It is often used for landscaping city streets and parks.
Admiration
The plant grows only up to half a meter. The leaves are red with a yellow border. Fruiting, but the berries are unsuitable for food. It is advisable to use a shelter for the winter.
Barberry varieties for hedges
A special decoration of the site is a hedge made of low-growing barberry, which serves as a fence and an element of the landscape. There will be no particular difficulties with growing a shrub, 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. The height of the shrub is up to 1.7 m.The diameter of an adult plant is 1.4 cm.
Erecta
Quite a tall variety of barberry. With proper care, the bushes grow strongly in breadth, regular pruning is required. The fruit tastes bad.
Superba
It 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 maintenance and regular watering.
Auricoma
Small shrub. The crown grows upward, with age it begins to grow to the sides. Red leaves have a bronze tint; by autumn they turn orange.
Ottawa
A variety that does not lose its gorgeous red hue, even in the shade or with excess moisture. It grows quickly, giving up to 50 cm of growth per year. Used for landscaping the territory.
Varieties with black fruits
Usually black-fruited varieties are used for landscaping areas, although the berries are quite edible. The best varieties:
- Ganepen;
- Klugowski;
- Juliana.
In leaving, black-fruited varieties are no different from ordinary barberry.
Studless 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, they perfectly tolerate the instability of climatic conditions.
How to choose a variety for different regions of Russia
It is recommended to choose types in accordance with climatic conditions. Experiments should not be carried out - thermophilic species are unlikely to survive the harsh Siberian winter.
The best varieties of barberry for the Moscow region
It is not too difficult to grow barberry in the Moscow region, most varieties will perfectly tolerate temperature instability. The main thing is to follow the rules of agricultural technology and use a winter shelter.
Alba variegata
One of the varieties of common barberry. A distinctive feature of the variety is irregular white spots on the leaves. The bush is not high - only 1.3-1.4 m. The main requirements are a lot of sun, moderate soil moisture.
Atropurpurea
It grows up to a meter, purple leaves have a purple tint. After the yellow flowers, long red berries form. It transfers partial shade without losing its decorative effect.
Superba
Tall (3 m) shrub with purple leaves. The petals of flowers are red and have a yellow border. The fruits are quite tasty and are used in cooking.
The best varieties of barberry for Siberia, the Urals
For cultivation in harsh conditions, it is better to purchase frost-resistant varieties of barberry.
Siberian
Low shrub with dense long thorns. The leaves also have spiny teeth. It begins to bloom in late spring, fruits appear by early autumn. Easily tolerates frosty winters.
Amursky
Often found in natural conditions. Recommended for growing hedges. Easily transfers the haircut. Sour fruits are used for making drinks, preservation.
Barberry is a plant that will emphasize the individuality of a flower garden, garden, decorate a house or outbuildings. For a minimum of work, the shrub will certainly thank you with rapid growth and abundant fruiting.
