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If we consider the varieties, photos and descriptions of the Thunberg barberry, it will become clear how beautiful the shrub is. This plant will decorate the landscape design, fit perfectly into the garden, play the role of a hedge. To date, there are more than 500 species of barberry, but a small part of this number is grown. Before you start planting a crop, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its features in advance. This is due to the fact that not all types may be suitable for specific regions.
What does barberry look like
Barberry is a thorny shrub that grows up to 3 m in height, depending on the variety. The root system of the plant is lignified, creeping. The bark is light brown on the outside and dark yellow on the inside.
The crown consists of spreading branches, which, in turn, are strewn with small thorns. Young shoots stand erect, usually yellow or yellow-purple. Leaves and thorns also grow on small shoots.
If we consider the foliage, then it has the shape of an ellipse, the base is narrowed, the top can be rounded or pointed. Small denticles are located along the edge of the leaf. The length of the leaf plate is 4 cm, and the width is 2 cm.
On each brush 15-25 small yellow flowers are formed. Each flower has an orange nectary, 6 petals, sepals and stamens, 1 pistil. Flowering occurs in late spring and continues until May.
The emerging buds are small, maximum 1 cm in length. The surface is smooth, the shape is slightly pointed. In most cases, the fruits are oblong, rich red, sour. Fruiting lasts from September to October.
Barberry shrub varieties
There is a wide variety of barberry cultivars with different leaf and fruit colors. Despite such a number of species, they can be divided into several groups. Among the most famous and popular varieties, the following types are worth noting:
- Ordinary – shrub, up to 2 m high, withstanding low temperature conditions. When the barberry reaches 4 years, the first berries appear. In this form, 3 popular varieties can be distinguished – Atropurpurea, Albovarigata, Aureomarginata;
- Canadian – barberry, which grows mainly in the wild in North America. Flowering occurs in late spring. The shrub easily tolerates drought and low temperatures. When compared visually, the Common and Canadian species are almost identical;
- Amur – according to the description, it resembles the Common barberry, the only thing is that it grows up to 3 m in height. The berries are rich red, they can be eaten;
- Ottawa This variety is a hybrid. It was obtained by crossing Atropurpurea and Thunberg. The fruits are yellow, the leaves are often orange, but red ones are also found;
- Thunberg – one of the most popular and well-known varieties, which is of interest not only to amateur gardeners, but also to professional landscape designers.
Before planting a particular variety, it is recommended to first study in detail the information about it and only after that proceed with the purchase of planting material.
Types and varieties of barberry shrubs
In the garden, the plants create a unique atmosphere with their spreading crowns and a variety of shades that can vary from light lemon tones to maroon.
If necessary, the bush can be given any geometric shape: circle, square, bouquet. Shrubs can be used as a central composition or as a living fence. Some varieties have edible fruits.
Not every garden plant can boast such an abundance of species and varieties. To date, there are more than 500 species that can be giants – 3 m in height and tiny – 30-40 cm in height.
Barberry yellow
Yellow varieties of barberry have a rather bright color and a large number of red fruits. As an exception, Alba and Lutea can be cited as an example.
I’m angry – an ordinary barberry, reaching a height of up to 2 m. The shoots are yellow, the leaves are long (6 cm) with a pale green tint. Flowers appear in clusters. Each brush contains 20 inflorescences. Ripe fruits acquire a pale yellow color, grow up to 1 cm long.
In addition, species with rich bright yellow foliage can be distinguished. These mainly include varieties of barberry Thunberg:
- Aurea;
- Tiny Gold;
- Maria;
- Diabolicum.
Maria – a plant with a spreading crown, thorny bushes. The level of frost resistance is medium. In spring, it acquires yellow foliage, which turns red and green in summer.
Barberry black
There is an Asian variety that, after a flowering period, has black fruits. The bushes are quite large, on average they are up to 2 m high. Flowering and fruiting are carried out regularly. Since the shrub is able to tolerate low temperature conditions, you can not be afraid that the barberry will freeze in winter, you can cover it for the winter, but this is not necessary. The shrub has thorns, up to 1,5 cm long, while the fruits reach 1 cm.
Barberry red
Siberian barberry is a variety that grows on the territory of Siberia, Kazakhstan. The shrub reaches a height of up to 1 m. Flowering and fruiting occurs after the shrub is 6 years old. The flowering period is 12 days, occurs at the end of May, and in August the appearance of fruits can be observed. Deep red berries, green foliage. If you need a barberry with red fruits and leaves, then you can pay attention to the Ottawa look.
Barberry variegated
Variegated varieties of barberry were known at the beginning of the 20th century, but today their popularity has grown many times over. When breeding this variety, Thunberg’s barberry was taken as the basis.
Among the variegated species, it is worth highlighting the Admiration variety. The shrub has an attractive appearance, grows quite slowly, the annual growth is a maximum of 4 cm, the height of an adult plant is 50 cm, the color of the leaves is unusual – red with a frame in yellow tones. During the flowering period, red-yellow flowers appear, which are replaced by fruits of a rich bright red color. It is important to understand that berries of this type cannot be eaten.
Barberry dwarf
The dwarf variety of barberry is often used as decorative borders. Shrubs are planted along the walls of buildings and structures or on the lawn. If we consider the most popular dwarf species in height, then we can distinguish:
- Atropurpurea – 30-50 cm;
- Cobolt – 50 cm;
- Bagatelle – 50 cm.
Bagatelle deserves special attention. The shrub in the process of growth forms a crown in the shape of a ball. The leaves can change color: in summer they are brown, in autumn – a noble dark red hue.
Varieties of barberry Thunberg
Thunberga is a barberry with the largest number of varieties. This species is resistant to many diseases, as a result of which landscape designers are so fond of.
In addition to an attractive decorative appearance, the shrub has 1 advantage among other species – it is easy to cut topiary. Due to the spreading and dense crown, the Thunberg variety is used mainly for hedges.
Kobold
Kobold belongs to the dwarf variety of Thunberg barberry. In height, the shrub reaches a maximum of 50 cm, about the same in width. Young shoots appear in early April, have a dark brown color. The leaves are small, the length varies from 1 to 1,5 cm, the shape is ovoid. Foliage is green in spring, turning yellow in summer. The flowering period is at the beginning of May. The inflorescences are yellow with a red rim. The fruits may be red or pink. Since the berries are edible, they are harvested in September.
Golden Pillar
Golden Pillar belongs to the columnar variety of barberry. The shrub is quite large, its height is 2 m, diameter – 1 m. The color of the foliage varies depending on the season. For example, in spring, the bush is covered with yellow leaves, in summer it acquires green tones, and in autumn it becomes a rich red hue. A distinctive feature is the ability to tolerate low temperature conditions. So that the bush does not lose its decorative appearance, it must be planted in sunny areas.
Green Carpet
Green Carpet is a spreading and cushion-shaped variety that grows up to 50 cm in height and up to 1 m in width. This shrub has foliage of light green color, the crown is quite dense, has the shape of a ball. In autumn, the shrub acquires red foliage, attracting glances with its bright appearance. The barberry of this species is an unpretentious plant that grows well in a temperate climate. The bush can be planted in group compositions with conifers and hardwoods, while it looks great apart on a small hill.
The best edible varieties of barberry
Some types of barberry bear fruit with edible fruits that are rich in C vitamins. If we consider the yield level from 1 bush, then there were cases when gardeners collected up to 10 kg of barberry. Often, red fruits are used as spices, in addition, jam, compotes, and jelly are prepared from berries. Varieties of edible barberry are universal shrubs, because they not only decorate the land, but also give a rich harvest.
Ordinary
The common barberry is a tree-like shrub with a spreading crown. It grows in the Caucasus, Southern Europe, Siberia. The shrub is undemanding to the place of growth, which is why it can often be found in places with chalk deposits, river pebbles.
A distinctive feature is the ability to withstand temperatures down to -35°C. As a rule, barberry likes to grow in sunny and dry areas. If you plant a shrub in the shade, this will greatly affect the quantity and taste of the crop.
Amur
The Amur variety grows in the Far East, Korea, China. For the first time this species was discovered by botanists on the banks of the Amur, as a result of which the plant got its name.
It can reach a maximum height of 3,5 m, there are not so many bushes, the crown is sprawling with a large number of thorns. The shoots are yellow, with time it changes to a gray-yellow hue. The color of the leaves changes depending on the season: in summer – saturated green, in autumn – bright red. The fruits grow red in color with a shiny skin, suitable for eating. Harvest begins in November.
Canadian
The areola of growth is the valley and banks of the rivers of North America. Abundant flowering occurs in the second half of May, the shrub is able to tolerate drought and frost. If compared visually, it has strong similarities with the common species. This variety is little known to gardeners, but breeders in Canada and America are actively improving the shrub. To date, they want to make it decorative to the maximum, as a result of which the level of productivity and the taste of the fruit suffer.
spherical
The shrub can grow up to 2 m in height. In the process of flowering, this species will not go unnoticed, as it exudes a strong smell. It grows mainly on the slopes in Central Asia, Mongolia, in the west of China. Fruits appear blue-gray shades with a strong aroma. It is these berries that are used to prepare traditional dishes in Asia – lagman, pilaf.
Varieties of barberry for hedges
To date, residents of Our Country use about 20 ornamental barberry varieties for hedges. Only 3 of them deserve special attention:
- Ordinary;
- Ottawa;
- Thunberg.
Due to the fact that these species grow well at low temperatures, this allows them to be grown in Siberia. If you know the characteristics of each species, then you can make the right choice as quickly as possible and provide the shrubs with proper care.
Ordinary
This barberry is one of the most hardy and strong varieties. Common barberry can be used for planting in regions with harsh winters and poor soil. This species is characterized by unpretentiousness, decorative appearance, as a result of which it can become an excellent decoration for the land. The plant reaches a height of 2,5 m, the fruits are edible.
Ottawa
The Ottawa variety was bred by breeders after crossing Atropurpurea and Common barberry. The shrub first appeared in Canada. Since this species has an increased level of frost resistance, it can be grown in regions with low temperature conditions. In most cases, the shrub has purple, yellow and red colors.
Thunberg
The Thunberg variety is one of the most popular and widespread, including a large number of barberry species. Distinctive features of all available varieties are the height of the plants and the color scheme of the foliage. The height varies from 70 cm to 1,5 m. The bright appearance and decorativeness of the plant attract gardeners and landscape designers, as a result of which the Thunberg barberry is used as a hedge. The brightest is the Thunberg red-leaved barberry.
The best varieties of barberry for the Moscow region
When choosing a barberry for growing in the Moscow region, you should pay attention to the resistance of the selected variety to low temperature conditions and the ability to grow in urban conditions. If we consider the most popular species that are ideal for the climatic conditions of the area, then we can distinguish the barberry:
- Ordinary;
- Tunberga;
- Ottawa.
To get to know each other better, you need to consider these types of barberry with their photos and names.
Alba variegata
Alba variegata is a representative of the Ordinary barberry variety. A distinctive feature of the shrub are leaves with noticeable white spots. In height, the plant can reach up to 1,5 m. This species is unpretentious to the place of growth, able to tolerate low temperature conditions, heat.
Superba
Superba is a variety of Ottawa barberry. The shrub is quite tall, can grow up to 3 m. The plant is able to attract with its appearance – purple foliage. In May, the first flowers appear, which have a rich yellow tint and a small frame around the edges of red. In the second half of June, fruits begin to form. The berries have a rich red color, if necessary, they can be eaten. The advantage of this barberry is a high level of resistance to frost.
Atropurpura
Atropurpurea – refers to the Thunberg barberry variety. Bushes are decorative, small. The maximum height is 1 m. The crown has a flat-round shape. The foliage is dark purple, sometimes shrubs with purple leaves can be found. In autumn, the barberry is covered with bright red berries.
Conclusion
Varieties, photos and descriptions of the Thunberg barberry must be studied first, and then proceed to the selection of the appropriate species. The barberry has a large number of species and varieties, each of which has its own characteristics. Since the shrub is unpretentious, this allows it to be popular with gardeners. There are some species that can grow in places with temperatures down to -40 ° C. Plants are used for decorative purposes for gardens, hedges and landscaping land.
