Barberry
Evergreen
Evergreen
This evergreen group is pruned right after flowering, the opposite timing to the deciduous group of this genus grown mainly for foliage colour and autumn interest — that difference in pruning logic is why the genus is split into two templates here.
Care
Drought-tolerant once established.
Adaptable, well-drained soil of most types.
Prune, if needed, immediately after flowering to preserve next year's flower buds. Often grown as a dense, thorny hedge — trim hedges after the main flowering flush too, and be prepared for a slightly less formal outline than a non-flowering hedge.
A general feed in spring on poor soil, otherwise nothing. Berberis is tough and thrives on neglect; feeding mainly produces longer, thornier growth to prune.
Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, taken with a heel. Thick gloves and long sleeves are the real requirement — the spines are vicious and the cuttings themselves are undemanding.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilEnjoy the small but profuse orange-yellow flowers.
- MayPrune or trim hedges immediately after flowering, if shaping is needed. how ›
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries, valuable for birds.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilEnjoy the small but profuse orange-yellow flowers.
- MayPrune or trim hedges immediately after flowering, if shaping is needed. how ›
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries, valuable for birds.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchEnjoy the small but profuse orange-yellow flowers.
- AprilPrune or trim hedges immediately after flowering, if shaping is needed. how ›
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries, valuable for birds.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchEnjoy the small but profuse orange-yellow flowers.
- AprilPrune or trim hedges immediately after flowering, if shaping is needed. how ›
- OctoberEnjoy the autumn berries, valuable for birds.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Orange pustules on leaf undersides.
What to do. Remove and dispose of badly affected leaves; rarely serious enough to need treatment.
How to spot it. On soft new growth.
What to do. Encourage predators; tolerate low levels.
How to spot it. A hazard of working with this genus, not a plant health problem.
What to do. Wear thick gloves and eye protection when pruning or trimming — the spines are sharp and this is a genuine safety consideration, especially for hedges.
Japanese barberry
Japanese barberry
This deciduous group is pruned in winter while dormant, the opposite timing to the evergreen group of this genus, which is pruned right after its spring flowering to avoid losing next year's buds — that difference in pruning logic is why the genus is split into two templates here.
Care
Needed for the best foliage colour on purple- and gold-leaved cultivars.
Drought-tolerant once established.
Adaptable, well-drained soil of most types.
Prune while dormant in winter, if needed — unlike the evergreen group of this genus, this group is grown mainly for foliage colour and autumn berries rather than a spring flower display, so a winter prune doesn't sacrifice flowers.
A light general feed in spring where the soil is thin. The purple and gold-leaved forms colour best in full sun on unimproved soil — richness dulls them.
Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, or hardwood cuttings after leaf fall. Many also seed themselves around, and the seedlings usually revert to plain green.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JanuaryPrune while fully dormant, if shaping or thinning is needed. how ›
- MaySmall yellow flowers appear, a minor feature next to the foliage colour.
- OctoberEnjoy the fiery red-orange autumn leaf colour and red berries, the main reason this group is grown.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryPrune while fully dormant, if shaping or thinning is needed. how ›
- MaySmall yellow flowers appear, a minor feature next to the foliage colour.
- OctoberEnjoy the fiery red-orange autumn leaf colour and red berries, the main reason this group is grown.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryPrune while fully dormant, if shaping or thinning is needed. how ›
- AprilSmall yellow flowers appear, a minor feature next to the foliage colour.
- OctoberEnjoy the fiery red-orange autumn leaf colour and red berries, the main reason this group is grown.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryPrune while fully dormant, if shaping or thinning is needed. how ›
- AprilSmall yellow flowers appear, a minor feature next to the foliage colour.
- NovemberEnjoy the fiery red-orange autumn leaf colour and red berries, the main reason this group is grown.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Orange pustules on leaf undersides.
What to do. Remove badly affected leaves; rarely serious.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves in dry, still conditions.
What to do. Improve air circulation.
How to spot it. A hazard of working with this genus.
What to do. Wear thick gloves — the spines are sharp, especially on dense, twiggy dwarf cultivars.
Popular varieties
Questions
Barberry: is it hardy?
Evergreen: H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C. Japanese barberry: H7: Fully hardy anywhere in the UK. It survives below −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Evergreen: Compact cultivars do well in a pot for several years. Japanese barberry: Dwarf, coloured-leaf cultivars are popular and reliable in pots.
Barberry: when do you prune it?
Evergreen: Prune, if needed, immediately after flowering to preserve next year's flower buds. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in May. Japanese barberry: Prune while dormant in winter, if needed — unlike the evergreen group of this genus, this group is grown mainly for foliage colour and autumn berries rather than a spring flower display, so a winter prune doesn't sacrifice flowers. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in January.
Barberry: when does it flower?
Evergreen: In the climate of UK it flowers in April–May. Japanese barberry: In the climate of UK it flowers in May.
When do you feed it?
Evergreen: A general feed in spring on poor soil, otherwise nothing. Berberis is tough and thrives on neglect; feeding mainly produces longer, thornier growth to prune. Feeding months, UK: April. Japanese barberry: A light general feed in spring where the soil is thin. The purple and gold-leaved forms colour best in full sun on unimproved soil — richness dulls them. Feeding months, UK: April.