Barberries live up to their reputation as organic barbed wire not only as majestic hedges. If the thorny shoots spread across the ground, they create an impenetrable cushion for weeds and cheeky four-legged friends alike. You can get to know recommended barberry varieties with a talent for ground cover here.
Which barberries are suitable as ground cover?
Recommended barberry ground cover plants are 'Atropurpurea Nana', 'Aurea', 'Nana' and 'Cushion Barberry'. These varieties are characterized by dwarf growth, attractive leaf colors and thorns that serve as natural protection against weeds and animals.
Beautiful barberry ground cover for the garden - a selection of varieties
The main criterion for its function as a ground cover is dwarf growth. The following barberry varieties don't just leave it at that, but boast evergreen leaves and strong thorns. Deciduous Berberis species score points with pretty flowers and autumnal fruit decorations. Make your choice:
| Barberry ground cover | botanical name | Growth height | Growth width | running/evergreen | special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small barberry 'Atropurpurea Nana' | Berberis thunbergii | 30 to 40 cm | 50 to 100 cm | deciduous | purple leaves |
| Golden barberry ‘Aurea’ | Berberis thunbergii | 50 to 80 cm | 40 to 60 cm | deciduous | golden yellow foliage dress |
| Green cushion barberry ‘Nana’ | Berberis buxifolia | 40 to 75 cm | 60 to 80 cm | evergreen | rounded growth |
| Snowy barberry, cushion barberry | Berberis candidula | 60 to 80 cm | 80 to 160 cm | evergreen | Leaves dark green on top, snow white on the underside |
Determine plant requirements per square meter - this is how it works
Selecting suitable barberry for cultivation as a ground cover goes hand in hand with the question of plant requirements per square meter. The rule of thumb is: 6 to 8 plants in a 1 liter container, which corresponds to a distance of 35 to 40 cm. This density scores with an optimal ratio of costs and rapid greening of areas.
Savings among home gardeners plant 5 barberries per square meter so that the area is opaquely overgrown after 2 to 3 years. If you have a generous budget, plant 8 to 10 ground cover plants per square meter, which results in rapid weed suppression and little maintenance effort.
Tip
Caring for barberries as a hedge or ground cover could be so easy if it weren't for the thorns. Some of the most beautiful varieties not only have sharp spines on their shoots. The leaves have small thorns along the edges that can cause painful injuries. Before you cut the bushes, please wear thorn-proof gloves (€17.00 on Amazon) with cuffs and protective goggles.
