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Ornamental shrubs can decorate even the most modest garden plot. Barberry Superba is a fast-growing perennial that not only has tasty fruits, but has a fairly attractive appearance.
Every gardener dreams of planting barberry bushes, because bright plants can create a colorful landscape composition in any garden. Knowing the nuances of planting and the rules for placing shrubs on the site, you can facilitate the care of plants.
Description of Barbaris Superb
Barberry Superba grows as a large spreading shrub. The plant reaches its final size in 9 years. Barberry bushes are used for group plantings, they often practice single planting on the site. The flowering period of a perennial plant is May-June.
The flowers of barberry Superba with a pleasant smell, gather in neat racemose buds. Up to 1 pieces are located on 10 brush. The color of the flowers is yellow with a reddish tint, length – 4 cm.
The crown is large and spreading, forming long increments over the years. At the beginning of growth, the branches are directed upwards, with time they stretch out in wide arcs. The plant forms many branches on which sharp thorns are located.
The foliage of the Superba variety is round in shape, up to 4 cm long. The color of the green mass is purple-violet, in summer it has a grayish tint. Most of the leaves turn red in spring.
The berries of the barberry Superba are elongated, deep red in color, located on lowered branches. Sour in taste, have a fairly pronounced aroma.
Barberry Thunberg Superba in landscape design
Barberry Thunberg Superba is quite popular in landscape design. Today there are more than 45 types of fruit bushes. This variety has good immunity to various diseases, unfortunately, it hardly tolerates severe frosts.
In landscape design, almost all varieties are used. Barberry Thunberg looks good both in single and in group planting of shrubs. It is planted near curbs and alpine slides. Prickly bushes are used in the form of a decorative hedge, which looks original on the garden plot. In the photo you can see how the Superba barberry looks in the design of the local area.
Planting and caring for barberry Superba
Perennial shrub does not require special planting conditions. The plant is more suitable for slightly acidic and alkaline soils. The barberry of this variety tolerates a sharp change in weather conditions well, is not afraid of a long absence of watering.
Care measures are standard: regular pruning and preventive spraying from insect pests.
Seedling and planting preparation
In order for the plant to form beautiful and long branches, it is important to prepare the right soil. Variety Superba is often planted in a pre-prepared soil mixture:
- humus;
- sod soil;
- sand.
All components are mixed in equal proportions.
If planting is carried out in acidic soil, it is necessary to carry out liming. For 1 plant take 35 g of slaked lime.
It will be important to prepare the seedling for planting. Before the procedure, the root is lowered into a growth stimulator. You can buy this tool at any garden store.
If planting material is purchased on the market, it should be carefully examined. The seedling should not be damaged, the root system is not overdried.
With independent harvesting of material for planting, shoots of a perennial shrub with a strong, well-developed root system are taken.
The crew of the barbarian Superb
Superba bushes love well-lit places. In them, the plant will have bright colors. If the barberry is supposed to be planted in a single planting, it is recommended to make holes 60 by 60 cm in size. For group planting, the minimum distance between the bushes should be at least 40 cm.
Algorithm of barbaris Superb crew:
- Dig deep holes.
- Put drainage stones or sawdust on the bottom.
- Apply top dressing: peat, humus.
- Lower the young seedling into the hole so that 2 cm of the root neck are above ground level.
- Produce abundant moisture landings.
- Perform soil loosening.
Watering and top dressing
Perennial Superba practically does not require special rules for fertilizing. Bring them under the bushes 1 year after planting. Urea is used for the first feeding. All subsequent fertilizers are performed 1 time in 4-5 years.
It is worth noting that the shrub practically does not require watering. Often young sprouts that have a poorly developed root system need to be moistened. During the summer period there will be enough rainy weather. However, with prolonged drought, shrubs should be provided with the necessary amount of liquid.
Trimming
Cut the bush in early spring. This event is the prevention of many diseases. Old, frozen and damaged shoots are subject to removal. It is not recommended to form a plant if there are many internodes on the bushes.
It is worth noting that shoots that have stopped growing are also subject to removal. Old plants in the spring must also be thinned out.
The first preventive pruning is carried out 2 years after planting. During this period, the lower shoots are cut. Further pruning is performed 2 times a year: the first – in the summer, the second – in early autumn.
Preparation for winter
Young bushes that have not reached 3 years of age need to be prepared for winter. In the first years of life, it is necessary to cover the plantings with spruce branches. Further preparation for frost involves preventive pruning the day before.
Reproduction
There are 3 ways to propagate the Superba barberry bush. The plant almost always takes root well. Each summer resident chooses a method of plant propagation that is more convenient for him.
Breeding methods:
- by dividing the bush. To perform this method, a young shoot is separated along with the root and planted in pre-prepared soil;
- green layers. A good and strong shoot is determined on the bush, which is pressed tightly to the ground and falls asleep. The plant is watered abundantly until the branch gives a root;
- cutting. This method is easy to apply. It is enough to find young strong shoots on the bush, which must be cut with a knife. Shoots are planted in prepared flowerpots, watered well. After the plant develops a strong root system, it is transplanted into the ground.
Diseases and pests
Barberry Superba is susceptible to damage by barberry aphids and powdery mildew. To prevent the disease of the bushes, it is important to carry out preventive pruning and processing with special means. With proper care, the plant is able to develop good immunity, which will help to avoid problems in care.
In case of illness, special preparations should be purchased at a garden store and therapeutic spraying should be carried out. To combat aphids, a 0.2% Fitoverma solution is used; in case of barberry damage with powdery mildew, Fundazol is used. Bordeaux mixture is used to treat rust.
Conclusion
Barberry Superba is an ornamental fruit shrub that is practiced for planting and landscape design. Group and singly planted bushes can create an interesting composition in any area. Bright perennial shrubs with fragrant fruits become the decoration of any garden. Requiring virtually no maintenance and special planting rules, the Superba barberry is the choice of those who love a beautifully designed garden without the cost and additional hassle.