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Unpretentious in care and undemanding to growing conditions, the barberry is widely used in landscape design. However, not all gardeners know that the aesthetic appeal of the shrub depends on compliance with the technology of preparing the plant for wintering. Today we will tell you whether it is necessary to cover the barberry for the winter.
Winterization rules
Even the most beautiful ornamental plant loses its attractiveness with improperly organized wintering. Despite the high winter hardiness, the barberry suffers from sudden changes in temperature conditions. So, snowy and frosty winters are not a hindrance to this ornamental culture. But sharp thaws in the middle of winter, which are replaced by severe frosts, can lead to damage to thin branches and glaciation of the root system. To prevent the freezing of an ornamental shrub, you need to know how to properly prepare the plant for the upcoming cold weather.
Autumn preparation of barberry for winter consists of several simple procedures:
- Watering. Barberry is characterized by high drought tolerance. The bush is watered only if autumn turned out to be stingy with precipitation.
- Application of fertilizers. Autumn feeding involves the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers into the soil. However, it is not recommended to use ready-made mixtures that contain nitrogen-containing substances.
- Rejuvenating crown pruning. Removing old, wind-broken or damaged by insects and rodents shoots is best done with protective gloves, as sharp thorns on branches can leave scratches on your hands.
- Soil preparation. Digging the soil allows you to create an air cushion and saturate the soil with oxygen. Mulching protects against excess moisture and glaciation of the root system during unexpected temperature changes.
The preparation and features of the barberry shelter technology for the winter depend on the varietal characteristics and climatic characteristics of the region where the shrub grows.
Video: “Preparing barberry for winter”
From this video you will learn how to properly prepare ornamental shrubs for wintering.
What plants need to be covered
The feasibility of warming the barberry for the winter depends on the varietal characteristics of the crop being grown. Most gardeners prefer to cultivate frost-resistant crops in their summer cottages. So, the varieties Ordinary, Ottawa, Thunberg and other types of barberry, which is native to Canada, are very popular among summer residents of central Our Country. Barberry varieties Orange Rocket, Red Rocket, Harlequin, Admiration, Maria, Atropurpurea, Bagatelle and Rose Glow are highly winter hardy and can be grown even in northern regions.
Varieties Red Pillar, Juliana, Green Carpen, Golden Rocket and Aurea are less frost-resistant: in severe frosts, young shoots freeze slightly. More thorough preparation for winter and reliable shelter require columnar shrubs and barberry hybrids.
Options for insulation
Most ornamental plants, including barberry shrubs, are frost-resistant crops that do not require additional shelter for the winter. According to the recommendations of experienced gardeners, only young plants and the root neck of bushes aged 3 years and older need to be well covered. At the stage of preparing the shrub for the upcoming cold weather, the root neck should be cleaned of inert peat and covered with dry black soil. Mulching the soil in the trunk circle with sawdust, straw, dry earth, fallen leaves and small coniferous branches protects the plant during temperature changes.
It is necessary to insulate the aerial part of the shrub only if the plant has recently been transplanted into open ground. A barberry bush that has not had time to get stronger may not be able to cope with the first frosts. To protect the plant from the cold, it is recommended to collect all the shoots in a loose bunch and cover them with a covering material. As a heater for the winter, you can use burlap, agrofibre, non-woven material, lutrasil or ordinary white polypropylene bags.
The height of the mulch layer should not be more than 10–12 cm. Too high a shelter can lead to the opposite consequences: the root neck of the barberry will begin to rot and rot. It is also not recommended to compact the mulch layer, since the lack of air gaps makes it difficult for air to circulate.
Features of the technology of sheltering ornamental plants for the winter may differ in different regions. In the Volga region, Moscow region and other regions of Our Country with a warm, temperate climate, barberry is mulched and the root neck is insulated.
In Siberia and the Urals, the bush is covered with dense non-woven material. Please note that the covering material must allow air to pass through, otherwise a greenhouse effect will form inside. Excess moisture on the inner walls of the covering material can cause the shrub to rot. In severe frosts, you need to cover the plant with a wooden box or a metal mesh, inside of which a pine spruce branch is laid and dry earth or sand is poured.